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Showing results for vital.
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.

That is aimed at causing enough economic damage to Iran that it agrees to reopen the vital waterway, which carries about a fifth of the world’s oil and other valuable commodities like fertilizer.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026

“Getting global shipping moving is vital to ease cost of living pressures,” he said in a statement on X.

From Salon • Apr. 14, 2026

Macron said in early March that France and its allies were preparing a "defensive" mission to reopen the strategically vital waterway.

From Barron's • Apr. 14, 2026

It is a vital shipping route, and home to rich fishing grounds that support the livelihoods of millions of people across the region.

From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026

Memories take on life, a valid life, that is more vital, more real than the actual event.

From This Side of Wild by Gary Paulsen

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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