imperative

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

For litigators, it has created a new imperative: ferreting out citations that have been fabricated by AI bots in their own court filings — and their adversaries’.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 27, 2026

Merkley, the top Democrat on the Senate Budget Committee, cited research suggesting that private equity’s imperative to maximize profits might conflict with the best interests of parents and children.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 24, 2026

"We need both," he said, arguing that "investment in improving the quality of and access to palliative and hospice care, as well as good social care, is imperative."

From BBC • Mar. 16, 2026

"It is a fundamental instrument designed to address the structural imbalances of South Africa's unique history. It is a constitutional imperative that the South African government can and will never abandon," he said.

From Barron's • Mar. 11, 2026

The grammatical mood is imperative, but the rhetorical effect is one of intimacy and humility.

From "Words Like Loaded Pistols" by Sam Leith