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Definitions

instrumental

[in-struh-men-tl] / ˌɪn strəˈmɛn tl /


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.

Musk's lawyers suggested Microsoft was instrumental in OpenAI's pivot toward being a commercial company, citing Nadella's 2023 boast: "We have the people, we have the compute, we have the data, we have everything."

From Barron's • May 12, 2026

Ruick was instrumental in making many of Williams’ earliest career connections.

From Los Angeles Times • May 4, 2026

It’s almost possible to concoct a silver lining from this dreadful situation, but only by focusing on short-term electoral politics in the most bloodless and instrumental fashion.

From Salon • Apr. 26, 2026

Grohl demoed more than 50 songs - typically in the middle of the night, many of them instrumental, touching on influences as diverse as Massive Attack, Pink Floyd and Bad Brains.

From BBC • Apr. 21, 2026

So, perhaps, was music, both vocal and instrumental; excavating Caral, Shady discovered thirty-two flutes made of pelican wingbones tucked into a recess in the main temple.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann




Vocabulary lists containing instrumental