In the context of programming:
* Procedural: This emphasizes the step-by-step nature of imperative programming.
* Command-based: This highlights the fact that the programmer issues commands to the computer.
* State-based: This refers to the fact that imperative programs explicitly manipulate the state of the program.
In the context of grammar:
* Command: This is a direct synonym for imperative in the grammatical sense.
* Instruction: This emphasizes the nature of the sentence as a directive.
* Order: This suggests a more forceful tone.
In the context of general meaning:
* Essential: This emphasizes the importance of something.
* Crucial: This emphasizes the necessity of something.
* Urgent: This emphasizes the need for immediate action.
* Mandatory: This emphasizes the obligatory nature of something.
Choosing the right synonym depends on the specific nuance you want to convey. For example, "procedural" would be a good synonym for "imperative" when discussing programming styles, while "essential" would be more appropriate when discussing the importance of something.