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1. Dictionary

   Im·per·a·tive

   /imˈperədiv/

   

   adjective

   • 1. of vital importance; crucial: "immediate action was imperative" Similar vitally importantof vital importanceall-importantvitalcrucialcriticalessentialof the essencea matter of life and deathof great consequencenecessaryindispensableexigentpressingurgentrequiredcompulsorymandatoryobligatoryOpposite unimportantoptional
   • 2. giving an authoritative command; peremptory: "the bell pealed again, a final imperative call" Similar peremptorycommandingimperiousauthoritativemasterfullordlymagisterialautocraticdictatorialdomineeringoverbearingassertivefirminsistentbossyhigh-handedoverweeningOpposite submissive
   • ▪ denoting the mood of a verb that expresses a command or exhortation, as in come here!

   noun

   • 1. an essential or urgent thing: "free movement of labor was an economic imperative"
   • ▪ a factor or influence making something necessary: "the change came about through a financial imperative"
   • 2. a verb or phrase in the imperative mood.
   • ▪ the imperative mood.

   Word Origin late Middle English (as a grammatical term): from late Latin imperativus (literally ‘specially ordered’, translating Greek prostatikē enklisis ‘imperative mood’), from imperare ‘to command’, from in- ‘towards’ + parare ‘make ready’.

   Derivatives

   • 1. imperatival adjective
   • 2. imperatively adverb
   • 3. imperativeness noun

   Scrabble Points: 17

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2. www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › imperativeImperative Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › imperative

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   The meaning of IMPERATIVE is not to be avoided or evaded : necessary. How to use imperative in a sentence. Synonym Discussion of Imperative.

3. dictionary.cambridge.org › english › imperativeIMPERATIVE | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › english › imperative

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   IMPERATIVE definition: 1. extremely important or urgent: 2. used to describe the form of a verb that is usually used for…. Learn more.

4. www.dictionary.com › browse › imperativeIMPERATIVE Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com › browse › imperative

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   Imperative definition: absolutely necessary or required; unavoidable. See examples of IMPERATIVE used in a sentence.

5. www.merriam-webster.com › thesaurus › imperativeIMPERATIVE Synonyms: 193 Similar and Opposite Words | Merriam ...

   www.merriam-webster.com › thesaurus › imperative

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   Synonyms for IMPERATIVE: incumbent, required, mandatory, compulsory, necessary, urgent, needed, obligatory; Antonyms of IMPERATIVE: optional, voluntary, elective, unnecessary, discretionary, unwanted, unimportant, insignificant.

6. www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › imperativeImperative - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com

   www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › imperative

   When something absolutely has to be done and cannot be put off, use the adjective imperative. Imperative is from Latin imperare, "to command," and its original use was for a verb form expressing a command: "Do it!" is an imperative sentence.

7. dictionary.cambridge.org › imperativeIMPERATIVE definition | Cambridge Learner’s Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › imperative

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   IMPERATIVE meaning: 1. When an action or process is imperative, it is extremely important that it happens or is done…. Learn more.

8. www.collinsdictionary.com › english › imperativeIMPERATIVE definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

   www.collinsdictionary.com › english › imperative

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   An imperative is a verb in the base form that is used, usually without a subject, in an imperative clause.