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Definitions

vital

[vahyt-l] / ˈvaɪt l /
ADJECTIVE
essential
Synonyms
STRONGEST
basic critical crucial decisive fundamental imperative important indispensable integral key meaningful necessary needed significant urgent
WEAK
bottom-line cardinal coal-and-ice constitutive heavy life-or-death meat-and-potatoes must-have nitty-gritty prerequisite required requisite underlined
Antonyms
STRONGEST
additional extra inessential insignificant meaningless minor needless nonessential optional secondary trivial uncritical unimportant unnecessary useless voluntary worthless
WEAK
dead dull insignficant sluggish
ADJECTIVE
lively
Synonyms
STRONGEST
dynamic energetic vibrant vigorous
WEAK
animated forceful lusty red-blooded spirited strenuous vivacious zestful
Antonyms
STRONGEST
dull idle inactive lethargic
WEAK
dead inessential insignficant sluggish trivial unimportant
ADJECTIVE
alive
Synonyms
WEAK
animate animated breathing generative invigorative life-giving live living quickening
Antonyms
WEAK
dead dull inessential insignficant sluggish trivial unimportant

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.

Councillor Shirley Reynolds welcomed the expansion, which she said would provide "vital support" to hundreds of pupils and families.

From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026

"When the national government says, 'This is vital national interest', there are instruments to effectively implement that."

From BBC • Apr. 12, 2026

Crowfoot said the state’s ongoing efforts are also helping to restore vital tidal habitats and remove barriers that hinder fish migration.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 12, 2026

The initial talks may well focus largely on Iran’s control of the Strait of Hormuz and the price Tehran sets for relaxing its grip on the vital sea lane.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 12, 2026

The items attached to the crates, however, were even more vital to the excavation’s goals.

From "Shipwrecked!" by Martin W. Sandler

Vocabulary lists containing vital

The Watsons Go to Birmingham

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List 7

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"All Summer in a Day" by Ray Bradbury

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