This invention relates to novel substituted imidazoles of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is a trifluoromethyl group, a halogen atom, an unsubstituted aryl group, a substituted aryl group, a heteroaromatic group, or a substituted heteroaromatic group; R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are selected from a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom and a trifluoromethyl group, provided R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are not concurrently halogen; and M is a hydrogen atom, an alkali or alkaline earth metal atom, a substituted carbonyl group, or other hydrolytically labile group. These compounds and compositions containing them exhibit herbicidal activity. Fungicidal activity of compounds of the invention is also shown.