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Definitions

all-important

[awl-im-pawr-tnt] / ˈɔl ɪmˈpɔr tnt /
ADJECTIVE
critical
Synonyms
STRONGEST
crucial dangerous decisive dire integral perilous pivotal precarious risky serious significant strategic urgent vital
WEAK
acute bottom-line climacteric conclusive consequential deciding desperate determinative exceptive grave hairy hazardous high-priority momentous pressing weighty
Antonyms
STRONGEST
certain inessential minor safe secure sure trivial unimportant unnecessary
WEAK
complimentary laudatory praising uncritical
ADJECTIVE
life-and-death
Synonyms
WEAK
consequential critical crucial determining earth-shaking earth-shattering essential imperative important indispensable life-or-death meaningful of vital importance paramount pivotal serious significant urgent vital vitally important
ADJECTIVE
necessary
Synonyms
STRONGEST
basic crucial decisive essential fundamental imperative indispensable mandatory needed paramount required significant unavoidable urgent vital
STRONG
binding cardinal chief expedient prerequisite pressing prime principal requisite
WEAK
bottom-line compelling compulsory de rigueur elementary exigent incumbent on momentous must-have name of game needful obligatory quintessential specified wanted
Antonyms
STRONGEST
additional extra inessential minor nonessential optional secondary trivial unimportant unnecessary voluntary
STRONG
insignificant
WEAK
contingent needless useless

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.

After “Let ’Em In,” McCartney asked his band member Brian Ray to show off the song’s all-important bass line: a single note plucked over and over and over again.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 28, 2026

Across Europe, where income from all-important domestic television broadcasting deals has stalled or even collapsed, major football teams are revamping historic stadiums or building new larger grounds.

From Barron's • Mar. 11, 2026

Nonfood sales led the fall in the run-up to the all-important holiday period, though food-and-drink sales volumes inched up.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 5, 2026

This is where your backroom staff is all-important, and it is the same at every club.

From BBC • Jan. 25, 2026

Charles attached a mirror to the outside of the house so that when he was in his study he could see who was coming up the walk—visitors and the all-important postman.

From "Charles and Emma: The Darwins' Leap of Faith" by Deborah Heiligman