IMPERATIVES Synonyms: 90 Similar and Opposite Words

imperatives

noun

plural of imperative

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

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of imperatives But the United States is capable of balancing these two imperatives. — Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026 Treat these as engineering imperatives, not merely policy decisions. — Vaibhav Gujral, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026 The writers also cited Disney’s acquisition of 21st Century Fox assets, arguing that Fox’s independent creative voice has essentially been subsumed by Disney’s corporate imperatives. — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 22 July 2026 Further, state leaders realize that the nation’s economic imperatives and our broader aspirations for education are two sides of the same coin. — Tim Knowles, Fortune, 8 July 2026 Efforts to strengthen domestic supply chains, upgrade advanced manufacturing, and invest heavily in strategic technologies, from cutting-edge semiconductors to next-generation 6G connectivity, are framed not merely as economic initiatives, but as imperatives of national security. — Yu Jie, Time, 13 May 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for imperatives

Noun

All fungicides should be used cautiously and according to the label instructions.

— Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Aug. 2026
Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have uncovered a new processor attack that can bypass defenses in Intel and AMD chips by exploiting a security gap lasting only a handful of instructions.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of instructions

Noun

In March, the department sent a letter to state superintendents about compliance obligations under FERPA.

— Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 27 Aug. 2026
The school board directed the Superintendent to determine what the district’s financial obligations would be if a Schools of Hope charter occupied a closed school.

— Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of obligations

Noun

The president’s orders and edicts have no basis in reality, are nonsensical and are making our nation significantly less safe.

— Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 20 Aug. 2026
Those who oppose the Mexican Mafia, or fail to follow the edicts of the gang’s leaders, are often targeted for beatings or even death.

— Sean Emery, Oc Register, 22 July 2026

Definition of edicts

Noun

Most children are forgotten in cars when caregivers are operating on autopilot mode while juggling several responsibilities at once.

— Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Aug. 2026
While the department attributes the opacity around its procurement and distribution of its massive, $1 trillion budget to the sheer size of the agency and its responsibilities, the GAO has found evidence instead of pervasive money mismanagement.

— Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of responsibilities

Noun

The mayor and other commissioners are chosen by voters and can direct the city manager through resolutions and other directives to take actions for the city.

— Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 26 Aug. 2026
As they’ve mercifully been decreased from six to four to three over the last 50 years, so have the prime directives.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of directives

Noun

Hugging Face co-founder Thomas Wolf said in a social media post Monday that people were starting to monitor the Microduck supply chain, as the company sees a strong rush for orders.

— Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2026
In effect, this would crowdfund assassinations in which many parties were interested but no one gave any direct orders.

— Finn Brunton, Harpers Magazine, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of orders

Noun

Welch did not remove Benton from his committee assignments and other caucus duties until February.

— Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026
The threat of shortages pushed countries across Asia to impose export bans, cut import duties, and start rationing fuel to maintain supplies.

— Katie Silver, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of duties

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imperative

imperatives

imperceptible

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“Imperatives.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imperatives. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of imperatives

noun

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