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View synonyms for imperative

imperative

[ im-per-uh-tiv ]

adjective

  1. absolutely necessary or required; unavoidable:

    It is imperative that we leave.

    Synonyms: compelling, exigent, essential, indispensable, inescapable

  2. of the nature of or expressing a command; commanding.
  3. Grammar. noting or pertaining to the mood of the verb used in commands, requests, etc., as in Listen! Go! Compare indicative ( def 2 ), subjunctive ( def 1 ).


noun

  1. a command.
  2. something that demands attention or action; an unavoidable obligation or requirement; necessity:

    It is an imperative that we help defend friendly nations.

  3. Grammar.
    1. the imperative mood.
    2. a verb in this mood.
  4. an obligatory statement, principle, or the like.

imperative

/ ɪmˈpɛrətɪv /

adjective

  1. extremely urgent or important; essential
  2. peremptory or authoritative

    an imperative tone of voice

  3. Alsoimperativalɪmˌpɛrəˈtaɪvəl grammar denoting a mood of verbs used in giving orders, making requests, etc. In English the verb root without any inflections is the usual form, as for example leave in Leave me alone


noun

  1. something that is urgent or essential
  2. an order or command
  3. grammar
    1. the imperative mood
    2. a verb in this mood

imperative

  1. A grammatical category describing verbs that command or request: “ Leave town by tonight”; “Please hand me the spoon.”


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Derived Forms

  • imˈperativeness, noun
  • imˈperatively, adverb

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Other Words From

  • im·pera·tive·ly adverb
  • im·pera·tive·ness noun
  • nonim·pera·tive adjective
  • nonim·pera·tive·ly adverb
  • nonim·pera·tive·ness noun
  • unim·pera·tive adjective
  • unim·pera·tive·ly adverb

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Word History and Origins

Origin of imperative1

First recorded in 1520–30; from Late Latin imperātivus, equivalent to Latin imperāt(us) “imposed,” past participle of imperāre “to impose, order, command” ( im- im- 1 + -perāre, combining form of parāre “to set, get ready, produce, obtain”; prepare ) + -īvus -ive

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Word History and Origins

Origin of imperative1

C16: from Late Latin imperātīvus, from Latin imperāre to command

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Example Sentences

Moreover, for America there is a fundamental imperative to act.

For Reid, the imperative has to be confirming as many of the 34 district court nominees that are in the pipeline as possible.

And that very same Roosevelt no doubt still believed it was imperative for us to make America “fairly radical for a generation.”

Many lessons and commentaries are in the imperative voice, but not all.

None of it has lessened my belief in Zionism or the imperative of Israel as a home and sanctuary for Jews.

Her glance wandered from his face away toward the Gulf, whose sonorous murmur reached her like a loving but imperative entreaty.

Nature, ever buoyant and imperative, does her best to remedy the ills created by "Man's inhumanity to Man."

For it was mother Martha and not her daughter who had obeyed Mrs. Cecil's imperative: "Come here!"

Let nothing, but the most imperative duty, call you out upon your reception day.

Only an hour was given to St. Albans, much less than we had planned, but our late start made it imperative that we move onward.

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imperativalimperator