If it is imperative that something is done, that thing is extremely important and must be done.
[formal]
It was imperative that he act as naturally as possible.
That's why it is imperative to know what your rights are at such a time.
The events of the past few days make it imperative for her to act.
Synonyms: urgent, essential, pressing, vital More Synonyms of imperative
2. countable noun
An imperative is something that is extremely important and must be done.
[formal]
The most important political imperative is to limit the number of U.S. casualties.
...the needs of those unable to respond to the imperatives of an enterprise culture.
3. singular noun
In grammar, a clause that is in the imperative, or in the imperative mood, contains the base form of a verb and usually has no subject. Examples are 'Go away' and 'Please be careful'. Clauses of this kind are typically used to tell someone to do something.
4. countable noun
An imperative is a verb in the base form that is used, usually without a subject, in an imperativeclause.
More Synonyms of imperative
English Easy Learning GrammarDeclarative, interrogative, and imperative statementsEach sentence in English provides some type of information. For example, a sentencecan be a statement, a question, a request, a command, a denial or a ... Read more
English Easy Learning GrammarThe imperativeCommands and orders The imperative is used to give commands and orders. The form of the verb used forthe imperative is the base form of the main verb, ... Read more
imperative in British English
(ɪmˈpɛrətɪv)
adjective
1.
extremely urgent or important; essential
2.
peremptory or authoritative
an imperative tone of voice
3. Also: imperatival (ɪmˌpɛrəˈtaɪvəl) 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
4.
something that is urgent or essential
5.
an order or command
6. grammar
a.
the imperative mood
b.
a verb in this mood
Derived forms
imperatively (imˈperatively)
adverb
imperativeness (imˈperativeness)
noun
Word origin
C16: from Late Latin imperātīvus, from Latin imperāre to command
imperative in American English
(ɪmˈpɛrətɪv)
adjective
1.
having the nature of, or indicating, power or authority; commanding
an imperative gesture
2.
absolutely necessary; urgent; compelling
it is imperative that I go
3. Grammar
designating or of the mood of a verb that expresses a command, strong request, or exhortation
noun
4.
a binding or compelling rule, duty, requirement, etc.
5.
a command; order
6. Grammar
a.
the imperative mood
b.
a verb in this mood
Derived forms
imperatively (imˈperatively)
adverb
imperativeness (imˈperativeness)
noun
Word origin
LL imperativus, commanding < pp. of L imperare, to command: see emperor
Examples of 'imperative' in a sentence
imperative
So there is a financial imperative to keep shuttling patients through hospitals.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Solving this problem is a social imperative and a business responsibility which we all must shoulder.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
This was coupled with a political imperative to appease employers.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
What has been missing is the economic imperative for change.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
They have become an imperative for survival.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
It is not just a financial imperative but a moral one.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Having a website is imperative for any business that wants to grow.
The Sun (2012)
This is not a political imperative driven by government.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
There is an economic imperative behind this.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Financial imperatives seem to be far from the driving forces behind his career.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
For me this is both an ethical imperative and good business practice.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
There is a strong political imperative behind this veto.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
The perceived economic imperative was always to feed the nation.
Smith, Drew Food Watch (1994)
Such challenges constitute the political imperative of deconstruction.
Boyne, Roy Foucault and Derrida - The Other Side Of Reason (1990)
The economic and moral imperative for action is too urgent.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
It directed the traffic of history in obedience to political imperatives.
Susie Gilbert and Jay Shir A TALE OF FOUR HOUSES: Opera at Covent Garden, La Scala, Vienna and the Met since1945 (2003)
We are often reminded of the financial imperatives which drive early modern writers in search of audiences or patrons.
The Times Literary Supplement (2012)
It is now a business imperative to retain women beyond their early thirties and enable them to progress to partnership.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Profit has become the basic imperative.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Conventional improvements had become an imperative.
Abshire, David M. Preventing World War III - A Realistic Grand Strategy (1988)
Maybe financial imperatives hurried things along.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
They make reforms in criminal Justice imperative and urgent.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Given lower sales forecasts, protecting margin is now the business imperative to maintain profits and cash.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
It's horrific but the health of the Republic is an urgent imperative.
Michael Burleigh Earthly Powers: Religion and Politics in Europe from the Enlightenment to the GreatWar (2005)
In this rapidly changing landscape of risk and opportunity, sustainability becomes an imperative, not an option for success.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
In other languages
imperative
British English: imperative ADJECTIVE
If it is imperative that something is done, that thing is extremely important and must be done.
It was imperative that he act as naturally as possible.
American English: imperative
Brazilian Portuguese: imperativo
Chinese: 至关重要的
European Spanish: imperioso
French: impératif
German: dringend
Italian: imperativo
Japanese: 必須の
Korean: 반드시 해야하는
European Portuguese: imperativo
Latin American Spanish: imperioso
British English: imperative NOUN
An imperative is something that is extremely important and must be done.
The most important political imperative is to limit the number of casualties.
American English: imperative
Brazilian Portuguese: imperativo
Chinese: 至关重要的
European Spanish: imperativo
French: impératif
German: Gebot
Italian: imperativo
Japanese: 必須事項
Korean: 반드시 해야하는 일
European Portuguese: imperativo
Latin American Spanish: imperativo
Chinese translation of 'imperative'
imperative
(ɪmˈpɛrətɪv)
adj
绝(絕)对(對)必要的 (juéduì bìyào de)
n(c)
(frm, = necessity) 要务(務) (yàowù)
(Ling) 祈使语(語)气(氣) (qíshǐ yǔqì)
it is imperative to stick to your budget绝(絕)对(對)不能超过(過)预(預)算 (juéduì bùnéng chāoguò yùsuàn)
it is imperative for us to act quickly我们(們)必须(須)要立即行动(動) (wǒmen bìxū yào lìjí xíngdòng)
it is imperative that ... ... 是非常重要的 ( ... shì fēicháng zhòngyào de)
in the imperative (Ling) 用祈使语(語)气(氣) (yòng qíshǐ yǔqì)
1 (adjective)
Definition
extremely urgent
It's imperative to know your rights at such a time.
Synonyms
urgent
There is an urgent need for food and water.
essential
It is absolutely essential that we find this man quickly.
pressing
There is a pressing need for more funds.
vital
a blockade which could cut off vital oil and gas supplies
crucial (informal)
the most crucial election campaign in years
compulsory
compulsory military conscription
indispensable
She was becoming indispensable to him.
obligatory
Third-party insurance is obligatory when driving in Italy.
exigent
Opposites
unnecessary
,
optional
,
unimportant
,
avoidable
,
nonessential
,
discretional
2 (adjective)
Definition
commanding or authoritative
Synonyms
commanding
The voice at the other end of the line was serious and commanding.
lordly
their lordly indifference to patients
authoritative
She has an authoritative manner.
autocratic
They have grown intolerant of his autocratic ways.
dictatorial
a dictatorial management style
imperious
She gave him a witheringly imperious look.
domineering
They are not domineering parents.
magisterial
his magisterial voice and bearing
high-handed
He wants to be seen as less bossy and high-handed.
peremptory
He treated his colleagues in a peremptory manner.
Additional synonyms
in the sense of authoritative
Definition
possessing authority
She has an authoritative manner.
Synonyms
commanding,
lordly,
masterly,
imposing,
dominating,
confident,
decisive,
imperative,
assertive,
autocratic,
dictatorial,
dogmatic,
imperious,
self-assured,
peremptory
in the sense of autocratic
They have grown intolerant of his autocratic ways.