imperative
[adjective]
Synonyms: urgent, crucial, essential, pressing, vital

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Contrasted words: begging, entreating, imploring, lenient, mild, soft
Related Words: bidding, commanding, ordering, harsh, stern, acute, critical, crucial, basic, fundamental, claimed, demanded, exacted

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

I. im‧per‧a‧tive¹ /ɪmˈperətɪv/ adjective
[Date: 1400-1500; Language: Late Latin; Origin: imperativus, from Latin imperatus, past participle of imperare 'to command']

1. extremely important and needing to be done or dealt with immediately:
It is imperative that politicians should be good communicators.
it is imperative (for somebody) to do something
It is imperative to meet face to face with the client.

2. technical an imperative verb is one that expresses an order, such as ‘stand up’
—imperatively adverb

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

II. imperative² noun [countable]

1. something that must be done urgently:
A broad and balanced education is an imperative for raising standards.

2. formal an idea or belief that has a strong influence on people, making them behave in a particular way:
Sharing food is the most important moral imperative in Semai society.

3. technical the form of a verb that expresses an order. For example, in the order ‘Come here’, ‘come’ is in the imperative.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

imperative
adj.
VERBS be, seem | become | remain It remains imperative that all sides should be involved in the talks.
make sth The collapse of the wall made it imperative to keep the water out by some other means.
consider sth We consider it absolutely imperative to start work immediately.
ADV. absolutely

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲