indispensable

adjective

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in·dis·pens·able | \ ˌin-di-ˈspen(t)-sə-bəl

Definition of indispensable

1 : absolutely necessary : essential an indispensable member of the staff

2 : not subject to being set aside or neglected an indispensable obligation

Other Words from indispensable Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More About indispensable

Other Words from indispensable

indispensability \ ˌin-di-ˌspen(t)-sə-ˈbi-lə-tē

\ noun

indispensable noun

indispensableness \ ˌin-di-ˈspen(t)-sə-bəl-nəs

\ noun

indispensably \ ˌin-di-ˈspen(t)-sə-blē

\ adverb

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 Many stay plugged in during their vacations, feeling the pressure of being indispensable. — Mark C. Perna, Forbes, 2 Aug. 2022 At a time when most consumers are perhaps thinking for the first time about the intricacies of the supply chain, Mr. Buck notes that river traffic is still indispensable. — Danny Heitman, WSJ, 28 July 2022 This is where visceral sensitivity to one’s environment is indispensable—whether that’s a person, process, part of nature or a whole Zeitgeist. — Ginny Whitelaw, Forbes, 2 July 2022 Colts defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus, must conclude whether the 25-year-old Smith is indispensable or merely the best young player on a declining defense. — Phil Rogers, Forbes, 29 June 2022 Netflix was once indispensable, but as other services have picked up their game, Netflix suddenly doesn’t look quite as vital. — Jacob Siegal, BGR, 29 June 2022 In 2008, Netanyahu introduced Finkelstein to his friend Orbán; Finkelstein became so indispensable that Orbán reportedly came to refer to him, dotingly, as Finkie. — Andrew Marantz, The New Yorker, 27 June 2022 By further integrating financial services such as BNPL into the iPhone, which still accounts for slightly more than half of the company’s $365.8 billion in sales last fiscal year, Apple could make the hardware all-the-more indispensable. — Jacob Carpenter, Fortune, 7 June 2022 Previously it was allowed only for soldiers deemed indispensable by the secretary of the Army. — From Usa Today Network And Wire Reports, USA TODAY, 25 May 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'indispensable.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Learn More About indispensable

Dictionary Entries Near indispensable

in disguise

indispensable

indispose

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Last Updated

6 Aug 2022

Cite this Entry

“Indispensable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/indispensable. Accessed 8 Aug. 2022.

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More Definitions for indispensable

indispensable

adjective

in·dis·pens·able | \ ˌin-di-ˈspen-sə-bəl

Kids Definition of indispensable

: extremely important or necessary : essential indispensable workers

indispensable

adjective

in·dis·pen·sa·ble | \ ˌin-di-ˈspen-sə-bəl

Legal Definition of indispensable

: 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