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
Synonyms
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
The Times has become indispensable in readers’ lives but also an institution that sparks frustration across the political spectrum.
—
Clare Malone, The New Yorker, 10 July 2024
For that, continuing American leadership is indispensable; Mr. Biden himself, less so.
—Editorial Board, Washington Post, 8 July 2024
In the months and years that followed, James became an indispensable part of the business — cooking his way through every station, always ready to learn and never too proud to try something new.
—Daniel Humm, Bon Appétit, 28 June 2024
That expectation asks too much of the court and too little of the other branches of the government, and of the people themselves, which have their own indispensable parts to play in safeguarding the constitutional order.
—Ramesh Ponnuru, National Review, 25 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for indispensable 
Clare Malone, The New Yorker, 10 July 2024
For that, continuing American leadership is indispensable; Mr. Biden himself, less so.
—Editorial Board, Washington Post, 8 July 2024
In the months and years that followed, James became an indispensable part of the business — cooking his way through every station, always ready to learn and never too proud to try something new.
—Daniel Humm, Bon Appétit, 28 June 2024
That expectation asks too much of the court and too little of the other branches of the government, and of the people themselves, which have their own indispensable parts to play in safeguarding the constitutional order.
—Ramesh Ponnuru, National Review, 25 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for indispensable
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'indispensable.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near indispensable
Cite this Entry
“Indispensable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/indispensable. Accessed 26 Jul. 2024.
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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