Synonyms for imperative
ɪmˈpɛr ə tɪvim·per·a·tive

WiktionaryRate these synonyms:4.0 / 1 vote

1. imperativenoun

   Synonyms:
   imperative mood

2. imperativenoun

   essential

   It is imperative that you come here right now.

   Synonyms:
   imperative mood

3. imperativenoun

   Having a semantics that incorporates mutable variables.

   Synonyms:
   imperative mood

4. imperativenoun

   An essential action, a must: something which is imperative.

   Visiting Berlin is an imperative.

   Synonyms:
   imperative mood

English Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. imperative

   In the strict sense, absolute, free from all limitation or control, and supreme, superior to all, can not properly be said of any being except the divine. Both words are used, however, in a modified sense, of human authorities; absolute then signifying free from limitation by other authority, and supreme exalted over all other; as, an absolute monarch, the supreme court. Absolute, in this use, does not necessarily carry any unfavorable sense, but as absolute power in human hands is always abused, the unfavorable meaning predominates. Autocratic power knows no limits outside the ruler's self; arbitrary power, none outside the ruler's will or judgment, arbitrary carrying the implication of wilfulness and capriciousness. Despotic is commonly applied to a masterful or severe use of power, which is expressed more decidedly by tyrannical. Arbitrary may be used in a good sense; as, the pronunciation of proper names is arbitrary; but the bad sense is the prevailing one; as, an arbitrary proceeding. Irresponsible power is not necessarily bad, but eminently dangerous; an executor or trustee should not be irresponsible; an irresponsible ruler is likely to be tyrannical. A perfect ruler might be irresponsible and not tyrannical. Authoritative is used always in a good sense, implying the right to claim authority; imperative, peremptory, and positive are used ordinarily in the good sense; as, an authoritative definition; an imperative demand; a peremptory command; positive instructions; imperious signifies assuming and determined to command, rigorously requiring obedience. An imperious demand or requirement may have in it nothing offensive; it is simply one that resolutely insists upon compliance, and will not brook refusal; an arrogant demand is offensive by its tone of superiority, an arbitrary demand by its unreasonableness; an imperious disposition is liable to become arbitrary and arrogant. A person of an independent spirit is inclined to resent an imperious manner in any one, especially in one whose superiority is not clearly recognized. Commanding is always used in a good sense; as, a commanding appearance; a commanding eminence. Compare DOGMATIC; INFINITE; PERFECT.

   Synonyms:
   absolute, arbitrary, arrogant, authoritative, autocratic, coercive, commanding, compulsive, compulsory, controlling, despotic, dictatorial, dogmatic, domineering, exacting, haughty, imperious, irresponsible, lordly, overbearing, peremptory, positive, supreme, tyrannical, unconditional, unequivocal

   Antonyms:
   accountable, complaisant, compliant, conditional, constitutional, contingent, docile, ductile, gentle, humble, lenient, limited, lowly, meek, mild, responsible, submissive, yielding

Complete Dictionary of Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:5.0 / 1 vote

1. imperative

   Synonyms:
   urgent, irresistible, dictatorial, inexorable, peremptorily, compulsory, obligatory

   Antonyms:
   indulgent, lenient, mild, entreative, supplicatory, optional, discretional

Princeton's WordNetRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. imperative mood, imperative, jussive mood, imperative formnoun

   a mood that expresses an intention to influence the listener's behavior

   Synonyms:
   imperative form, imperative mood, jussive mood

   Antonyms:
   mendicant, beseeching, petitionary, precatory, imploring, supplicant, supplicatory, adjuratory, pleading, importunate, precative, suppliant

2. imperativeadjective

   some duty that is essential and urgent

   Synonyms:
   imperative form, imperative mood, jussive mood

   Antonyms:
   beseeching, supplicatory, mendicant, importunate, petitionary, precative, adjuratory, supplicant, imploring, precatory, suppliant, pleading

3. imperativeadjective

   requiring attention or action

   "as nuclear weapons proliferate, preventing war becomes imperative"; "requests that grew more and more imperative"

   Antonyms:
   supplicatory, petitionary, importunate, pleading, mendicant, imploring, supplicant, adjuratory, precatory, beseeching, suppliant, precative

4. imperativeadjective

   relating to verbs in the imperative mood

   Antonyms:
   mendicant, supplicant, precative, supplicatory, beseeching, importunate, petitionary, pleading, imploring, adjuratory, precatory, suppliant

Matched Categories

1. • Grammar
   • Mood

Dictionary of English SynonymesRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. imperativeadjective

   Synonyms:
   commanding, authoritative, peremptory

2. imperativeadjective

   Synonyms:
   binding, obligatory

Synonyms, Antonyms & Associated WordsRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. imperativeadjective

   Synonyms:
   binding, compulsory, obligatory, imperious, peremptory

PPDB, the paraphrase databaseRate these paraphrases:0.0 / 0 votes

1. List of paraphrases for "imperative":

   peremptory, essential, indispensable, compelling, vital, mandatory, necessary, crucial, urgent, inevitable, pressing, necessity, need, requirement, imperatives, critical

How to pronounce imperative?

How to say imperative in sign language?

Words popularity by usage frequency

How to use imperative in a sentence?

1. State John Kerry:

   More than half of global emissions are coming from developing nations. It is imperative that they act too.

2. Terri Sewell:

   I’m proud to stand with my colleagues to demand that that is not just an imperative, it’s a moral imperative.

3. Elon Musk:

   I invested in Twitter as I believe in its potential to be the platform for free speech around the globe, and I believe free speech is a societal imperative for a functioning democracy, however, since making my investment I now realize the company will neither thrive nor serve this societal imperative in its current form. Twitter needs to be transformed as a private company.

4. Margot Fonteyn:

   The one important thing I have learned over the years is the difference between taking one's work seriously and taking one's self seriously. The first is imperative and the second is disastrous.

5. Andrew Schneider:

   What are man and woman if not members of two very different and warring tribes Yet decade after decade, century after century, they attempt in marriage to reconcile and forge a union. Why I don't know. Biological imperative Divine law Or just a desire to connect to that mysterious other In any case, it's always struck me as a hopeful thing.