1
as in instructions
a statement of what to do that must be obeyed by those concerned
a secretary of defense who was fond of issuing harshly worded imperatives
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in obligations
something one must do because of prior agreement
although he had little taste for the social imperatives that come with being governor, he put on a brave face
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of imperatives
If allowed to stand, this poses problems for utilities, grid operators, and regulators who plan for decades-long timeframes, only to be overruled by short-term political imperatives that favor certain industries.
—
Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 9 Apr. 2026
In a new First Opinion essay, two researchers explain the importance of laboratories like this one, as well as the economic and moral imperatives to protect them.
—Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 9 Apr. 2026
But there is no description that captures the many sides of the rabbi’s soul, and so Koestenbaum offers a gloriously Sisyphean attempt, a measure of respect for the human in all its biological imperatives and psychological complexity.
—Literary Hub, 2 Apr. 2026
But where those efforts have been driven primarily by cultural imperatives, Prasad sees restoration increasingly as a commercial proposition – and one with global reach.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 1 Apr. 2026
National security imperatives now suggest that Iran will go towards nuclear weapons — that their strategy over 20 years of trying to have an open nuclear program that could be monitored by [the International Atomic Energy Agency] was a mistake.
—Mishal Husain, Bloomberg, 13 Mar. 2026
Meanwhile, an array of new pressures—state power, domestic politics, national-security imperatives—have been piled atop those already weighing on a for-profit company in a race to deploy a volatile new technology.
—Harry Booth, Time, 11 Mar. 2026
Indeed, the Framers recognized these imperatives, along with the tension inherent between congressional authority and the President’s role as Commander-in-Chief.
—Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 5 Mar. 2026
The situation has exposed a fault line between two competing imperatives.
—Ritu Upadhyay, Footwear News, 3 Mar. 2026
Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 9 Apr. 2026
In a new First Opinion essay, two researchers explain the importance of laboratories like this one, as well as the economic and moral imperatives to protect them.
—Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 9 Apr. 2026
But there is no description that captures the many sides of the rabbi’s soul, and so Koestenbaum offers a gloriously Sisyphean attempt, a measure of respect for the human in all its biological imperatives and psychological complexity.
—Literary Hub, 2 Apr. 2026
But where those efforts have been driven primarily by cultural imperatives, Prasad sees restoration increasingly as a commercial proposition – and one with global reach.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 1 Apr. 2026
National security imperatives now suggest that Iran will go towards nuclear weapons — that their strategy over 20 years of trying to have an open nuclear program that could be monitored by [the International Atomic Energy Agency] was a mistake.
—Mishal Husain, Bloomberg, 13 Mar. 2026
Meanwhile, an array of new pressures—state power, domestic politics, national-security imperatives—have been piled atop those already weighing on a for-profit company in a race to deploy a volatile new technology.
—Harry Booth, Time, 11 Mar. 2026
Indeed, the Framers recognized these imperatives, along with the tension inherent between congressional authority and the President’s role as Commander-in-Chief.
—Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 5 Mar. 2026
The situation has exposed a fault line between two competing imperatives.
—Ritu Upadhyay, Footwear News, 3 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for imperatives
Noun
-
The rest was sent to other organizations and individuals based on McCrory’s instructions.—
Andrew Brown,
Hartford Courant,
27 Apr. 2026
-
If the user followed the instructions, including entering a PIN or scanning a QR code, their Signal accounts were linked to an external device controlled by the hackers.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The budget emphasizes that HUD funding is insufficient to meet rental assistance obligations.—
Michael Smolens,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Those obligations were not met.—
Kellie Love,
Hartford Courant,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
While many edicts are necessary to protect public safety, many more are redundant, wasteful and anti-competitive, piling on unnecessary costs and stymieing innovation.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
18 Apr. 2026
-
Like most of her peers, Agnes follows her country’s various repressive edicts directed toward young women.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Sherwood struggled in that role last year and should do better with fewer responsibilities.—
Zack Rosenblatt,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Its failure, especially the Republican majority in the House and Senate, to honor constitutional obligations as well as legislative and oversight responsibilities is disheartening.—
John T. Shaw,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The office also handles business registrations, oversees the state archives and runs a potpourri of other state programs, like commissioning notaries public and maintaining a registry for advance care directives.—
Ben Paviour,
Sacbee.com,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Bass has previously announced directives regarding strategic LAPD deployment, including in March after a brawl broke out in connection to a street takeover near upscale apartments in downtown.—
Tracy Brown,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Be direct about needs, set clear boundaries, and make sure everything is understood.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Innovative, imaginative solutions that meet growth in population, business and agricultural needs.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
On April 7, emergency suspension orders from state Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo came down on Tampa psychiatrist Quamrul Chowdhury; family medicine doctor Malek Hussein, and Delray Beach’s Milan Patel.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The Commission issues between 700 and 1,000 decisions, notices of consultation, regulatory policies, reports, and orders every year.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The paramilitary guard will take over security duties currently performed by conventional military forces.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Mickey Mouse was hugely popular in Germany (including personally with Hitler), but Germany imposed hefty duties on the import of foreign films after the Nazis came to power, bringing Mickey Mouse’s broad viewership to a halt.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Imperatives.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imperatives. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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