the imperative
noun
grammar
: the form that a verb or sentence has when it is expressing a command
"Eat your spinach!" is in the imperative.
Examples of the imperative in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Xi only recently returned from a three-nation tour of Europe, where European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and French President Emmanuel Macron lectured him on the imperative to halt support for Putin’s war machine.
—
Charlie Campbell, TIME, 17 May 2024
With health care costs rising and cultural influences promoting sedentary lifestyles, the imperative to act has never been more urgent.
—Liz Clark, Fortune, 7 May 2024
Proponents lauded this as a monumental stride towards sustainable agriculture, citing the imperative to safeguard biodiversity, protect pollinators, and mitigate the health hazards posed by chemical residues in food.
—Daphne Ewing-Chow, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024
These insights underscore the imperative of adaptability and strategic confidence to set the future course of content production and distribution.
—Callum McLennan, Variety, 31 Jan. 2024
From civil rights to economic justice, and global health to environmental stewardship, the interconnectedness of humanity underscores the imperative of working together for the betterment of all.
—Journal Sentinel, 11 Jan. 2024
From the intricacies of regulatory compliance across diverse jurisdictions to the imperative of harnessing technological advancements for operational efficiency, the terrain is both challenging and ripe with potential.
—William Mullane, USA TODAY, 13 Apr. 2024
Through their stories, we are reminded of the power of perseverance, the importance of representation, and the imperative of ensuring that every voice is heard in the halls of power.
—Shelby Stewart, Essence, 28 Mar. 2024
Trade needs to support the imperative of climate change action yet at the same time resist unhelpful protectionism.
—Bybørge Brende, Fortune, 15 Jan. 2024
Charlie Campbell, TIME, 17 May 2024
With health care costs rising and cultural influences promoting sedentary lifestyles, the imperative to act has never been more urgent.
—Liz Clark, Fortune, 7 May 2024
Proponents lauded this as a monumental stride towards sustainable agriculture, citing the imperative to safeguard biodiversity, protect pollinators, and mitigate the health hazards posed by chemical residues in food.
—Daphne Ewing-Chow, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024
These insights underscore the imperative of adaptability and strategic confidence to set the future course of content production and distribution.
—Callum McLennan, Variety, 31 Jan. 2024
From civil rights to economic justice, and global health to environmental stewardship, the interconnectedness of humanity underscores the imperative of working together for the betterment of all.
—Journal Sentinel, 11 Jan. 2024
From the intricacies of regulatory compliance across diverse jurisdictions to the imperative of harnessing technological advancements for operational efficiency, the terrain is both challenging and ripe with potential.
—William Mullane, USA TODAY, 13 Apr. 2024
Through their stories, we are reminded of the power of perseverance, the importance of representation, and the imperative of ensuring that every voice is heard in the halls of power.
—Shelby Stewart, Essence, 28 Mar. 2024
Trade needs to support the imperative of climate change action yet at the same time resist unhelpful protectionism.
—Bybørge Brende, Fortune, 15 Jan. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'the imperative.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near the imperative
Cite this Entry
“The imperative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20imperative. Accessed 28 May. 2024.
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