indispensable
adjective
in·dis·pens·able
ˌin-di-ˈspen(t)-sə-bəl 
1
: absolutely necessary : essential
an indispensable member of the staff
2
: not subject to being set aside or neglected
an indispensable obligation
indispensable
noun
Examples of indispensable in a Sentence
fully aware that he was an indispensable assistant, he decided that it was high time that he be paid what he was worth
Recent Examples on the Web
Unlike Clark Street or Southport Avenue, Broadway provides indispensable services — grocery stores, cleaners, hardware stores, barbers, medical and dental offices — while also hosting a diverse dining and grocery scene led by Ethiopian, Vietnamese, Afghani, Nigerian and Thai entrepreneurs.
—
Patricia Sharkey, Chicago Tribune, 2 Sep. 2025
For Brasília, Beijing constitutes an indispensable strategic partner, but Washington, even after its recent aggressions, remains an irreplaceable global power.
—Hussein Kalout, Foreign Affairs, 2 Sep. 2025
It must be recognized as an indispensable component of any robust national security solution.
—Michael Evanoff, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Indiana farmers who spoke to the IndyStar about the H-2A visa program described it as indispensable.
—Marissa Meador, IndyStar, 27 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for indispensable
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Patricia Sharkey, Chicago Tribune, 2 Sep. 2025
For Brasília, Beijing constitutes an indispensable strategic partner, but Washington, even after its recent aggressions, remains an irreplaceable global power.
—Hussein Kalout, Foreign Affairs, 2 Sep. 2025
It must be recognized as an indispensable component of any robust national security solution.
—Michael Evanoff, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Indiana farmers who spoke to the IndyStar about the H-2A visa program described it as indispensable.
—Marissa Meador, IndyStar, 27 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for indispensable
Cite this Entry
“Indispensable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/indispensable. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
indispensable
adjective
in·dis·pens·able
ˌin-dis-ˈpen(t)-sə-bəl
: absolutely necessary : essential
an indispensable employee
Legal Definition
indispensable
adjective
in·dis·pen·sa·ble
ˌin-di-ˈspen-sə-bəl
: having rights so connected to the claims of the parties to an action that the action cannot be adjudicated without affecting those rights see also indispensable party at party
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