imperative
Absolutely necessary or urgent
Examples
In a meeting
“It's imperative that we address this security vulnerability immediately.”
Over coffee
“It's imperative you tell her before someone else does.”
Why this word
necessary
Imperative emphasizes absolute urgency and critical importance, while necessary just means required or needed
important
Imperative indicates something must be done as a matter of vital necessity, while important just means having significance
essential
Imperative stresses commanding urgency and unavoidability, while essential means fundamentally necessary without the urgency implication
Usage tip
Use to emphasize critical importance or urgency. Stronger than 'important' or 'necessary'. Can also be a noun meaning a command.
Etymology
Latin: imperare (to command) — from in- (in) + parare (prepare)
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Related words
fundamental
Forming a necessary base or core; of central importance.
emphasize
Give special importance or prominence to something
trivial
Of little importance or value; minor
underscore
To emphasize or highlight the importance of something
indispensable
Absolutely necessary and cannot be done without
exigent
Urgent and demanding immediate action or attention