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
Its agents need to balance the imperative of protecting the nation’s senior leaders against the public’s interest in participating in the democratic process.
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Editorial Board, Washington Post, 20 July 2024
Perhaps the most valuable lesson from sailing is the imperative of adaptability.
—Kathryn Preston, Fortune, 4 June 2024
As a result, knowledge of self became hip-hop’s consciousness, emphasizing an awareness of injustice and the imperative to address it through both personal and social transformation.
—Su'ad Abdul Khabeer, The Conversation, 4 Aug. 2023
During the Hoxha years, Mr. Kadare treaded carefully between artistic freedom and the imperative of survival.
—Harrison Smith, Washington Post, 2 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for the imperative 
Editorial Board, Washington Post, 20 July 2024
Perhaps the most valuable lesson from sailing is the imperative of adaptability.
—Kathryn Preston, Fortune, 4 June 2024
As a result, knowledge of self became hip-hop’s consciousness, emphasizing an awareness of injustice and the imperative to address it through both personal and social transformation.
—Su'ad Abdul Khabeer, The Conversation, 4 Aug. 2023
During the Hoxha years, Mr. Kadare treaded carefully between artistic freedom and the imperative of survival.
—Harrison Smith, Washington Post, 2 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for the imperative
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 19 Aug. 2024.
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