crucial

[kroo-shuhl] / ˈkru ʃəl /

ADJECTIVE

critical, important

Synonyms

STRONGEST

bottom-line central compelling deciding decisive essential imperative momentous necessary pivotal pressing touchy urgent vital

WEAK

acute clamorous climactic desperate dire hanging by thread high-priority insistent on thin ice searching showdown touch and go

Antonyms

STRONGEST

inessential insignificant minor optional secondary trivial unimportant unnecessary voluntary

WEAK

uncritical

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.

This highlights how crucial these protective structures are for enduring extreme environments.

From Science Daily • Apr. 12, 2026

It is crucial that you speak with a real person who can support you right now.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 12, 2026

By moving the signal closer to the processor, the CPO approach improves power efficiency, increases bandwidth and lowers latency — all crucial to running powerful AI workloads.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 11, 2026

National Farmers Union North Regional Board Chair and a farmer himself William Maughan said "thorough, meaningful and clear" engagement with farmers was crucial for the project's success.

From BBC • Apr. 11, 2026

This map was crucial in destroying the two spheres theory, and in making Copernicanism possible.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton

Vocabulary lists containing crucial

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