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.

Crude futures settled lower in cautious trading as the U.S. and Iran plan weekend talks that are seen as crucial to the success of the cease-fire and reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 13, 2026

Moments later he tapped in for a crucial par that maintained his two-shot lead with two holes to play.

From BBC • Apr. 12, 2026

Turnout will be a crucial factor after a lacklustre campaign hit by voter apathy.

From Barron's • Apr. 12, 2026

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

From Science Daily • Apr. 12, 2026

I suppose there is a certain crucial interval in everyone’s life when character is fixed forever; for me, it was that first fall term I spent at Hampden.

From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt

Vocabulary lists containing crucial

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