Essential and Imperative

Essential

Essential adjective - Impossible to do without.
Usage example: a well-stocked public library is essential for the well-being of a community

Imperative is a synonym for essential in necessary topic. In some cases you can use "Imperative" instead the word "Essential" as an adjective or a noun, when it comes to topics like need, requirement, important, required.

Nearby Words: essence, essentially, essentiality

Imperative

Imperative adjective - Forcing one's compliance or participation by or as if by law.
Usage example: reporting signs of physical abuse is now an imperative duty for hospital and school personnel

Essential is a synonym for imperative in necessary topic. You can use "Essential" instead the word "Imperative" as an adjective or a noun, if it concerns topics such as need, requirement, urgent, vitally important.

Nearby Words: imperious, imperatively
Cite this Source
Imperative and Essential. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 21, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/essential/imperative
Essential & Imperative. N.p., 2016. Web. 21 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/essential/imperative>.
Imperative or Essential. 2016. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/essential/imperative.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "essential" and "imperative" have occurred on timeline