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
There is a recently burgeoning genre of documentaries — usually either celebrity or true crime in focus — driven not by aesthetic or storytelling imperatives but by (self-)promotional machinery.
—
Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 30 Dec. 2025
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, China created an extensive space program driven by scientific, economic, and military imperatives.
—Elizabeth Economy, Foreign Affairs, 9 Dec. 2025
Achieve known and ‘easily’ attainable upside early on; diversify risk; avoid ‘betting’ the company on one initiative; postpone critical risks until the organization is appropriately prepared; simplify so attention is directed to a handful of key imperatives.
—David Podolsky, Fortune, 19 Nov. 2025
For Parfit, meaning grew out of transcendent moral imperatives rather than individual lives.
—Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 10 Nov. 2025
Both Sheffield and Kinloch wrote their early childhood strategies would align with the Hope Starts Here framework, a citywide early childhood philanthropic partnership started in 2016 that follows six key imperatives to strengthen Detroit's early childhood system.
—Beki San Martin, Freep.com, 24 Oct. 2025
The pair spoke about the development of reasoning models, governments’ pivot away from safety, and his new nonprofit, LawZero, which aims to redesign AI safety in the face of commercial imperatives.
—Andrew R. Chow, Time, 26 Sep. 2025
From the interpolation of four variegating imperatives emerges a single prophetic voice.
—Elaine L. Wang
september 11, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2025
With the dawn of the AI era, many organizations see transformation and change as urgent imperatives.
—Julia Dhar, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for imperatives
Noun
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The company also announced a partnership with Google DeepMind to integrate Gemini Robotics AI, enabling Atlas to reason through complex instructions and operate in unstructured environments.—
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At first, doctors sent them home from the hospital with instructions to monitor her symptoms.—
Noun
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During the meeting Monday evening, two residents called for stronger oversight of the project, raising concerns about the city’s obligations, should the development stall.—
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For instance, a user might encounter transaction limits, identity verification requirements, or reporting obligations, particularly for large amounts.—
Noun
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Ever since, as the Taliban returned to power, once again issuing edicts to suppress women and girls, the clinic and its 34-year-old midwife Atifa have continued to provide a lifeline for mothers and young children.—
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One of the fundamental edicts of the [original Naked Gun creators] Zucker Brothers was you played against the comedy.—
Noun
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By 2030, the company expects Atlas to take on more complex responsibilities, including repetitive and heavy-load assembly work.—
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Soldiers will serve in a support role, focused on protecting property, safeguarding critical infrastructure and allowing local law enforcement to remain focused on community safety and investigative responsibilities, according to a news release from the governor's office.—
Noun
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The letter details other claims of favoritism and disregard for recent board directives to curb spending, like attempting to hire for vacant positions and authorizing overtime expenditures despite the hiring and overtime freeze enacted in the board approved fiscal solvency plan.—
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Indeed, her dynamic with her clientele is long-term, 360-degree and more of a two-way dialogue than directives on what to wear where — and when.—
Noun
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Get ready for hunting season by browsing over 40 vendors selling a variety of goods for all your fishing and outdoor needs.—
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The request for additional money was made after underground utility and other site placement needs were identified while designing a new floor plan.—
Noun
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In December 2025, the heavy apparatus count was down to 240 and 207 ambulances with 90 service orders, according to LAFD data.—
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The Kings Mountain facility, west of Charlotte in Gaston County, will handle e-commerce orders for large items such as televisions, furniture, and appliances.—
Noun
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Kingsbury, the offensive coordinator, and Whitt, who had been in charge of the defense until being stripped of play-calling duties during the season, both arrived in Washington with Quinn before the 2024 season.—
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Inspire Investment Group president Brian Toerber, the hotel’s owner, has passed culinary duties on to Steven Waters, owner of downtown Denver cocktail bar Run for the Roses and also the hotel’s owner-operator.—
Cite this Entry
“Imperatives.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imperatives. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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