most crucial

ADJECTIVE

critical, important

Synonyms

STRONGEST

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

WEAK

acute clamorous climacteric climatic 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.

“It seems clear there is a sustained shortage of the most crucial parts of the AI chain, including power, infrastructure, memory, and computational chips,” said Trivariate Research founder Adam Parker.

From Barron's • May 18, 2026

Neither side claimed that Trump and Xi talked about placing limits on artificial intelligence—which many see as one of the most crucial areas of competition between the two countries and dangers to the world.

From Slate • May 16, 2026

Driver, putter and ball are usually the most crucial elements, so the move is not as drastic as it might appear.

From BBC • Apr. 29, 2026

But observers say Velasco managed to vault over the traditional diplomatic career path thanks largely to something else: His deep knowledge of Mexico’s most crucial foreign policy concern — the United States.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 14, 2026

At least as important, King morally and politically legitimized a youth-led agenda of confrontational social change that would define one of the most crucial decades of the American Century.

From "The Best of Enemies" by Osha Gray Davidson