indispensable

adjective

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

1

: absolutely necessary : essential

an indispensable member of the staff

is indispensable to the team

2

: not subject to being set aside or neglected

an indispensable obligation

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

Synonyms of indispensable

• essential
• necessary
• integral
• required
• needed
• needful
• vital

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

That combination of production and leadership has made the senior forward/center the conference’s most indispensable player. —Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 11 Mar. 2026

Krstansky’s talent is in showing how important and indispensable Linda is in the lives of her husband and their children. —Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 10 Mar. 2026

After nearly a decade with Variety, Aronson has proven to be an indispensable leader as live media and events have become an increasingly important part of Variety‘s operations. —William Earl, Variety, 10 Mar. 2026

Critical minerals are also indispensable for renewable energy systems, energy storage and digital infrastructure. —Leonardo MacElloni, The Conversation, 10 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1653, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for indispensable

• compensable
• condensable
• defensible
• dispensable
• extensible
• insensible
• ostensible
• comprehensible
• indefensible
• reprehensible
• supersensible
• incomprehensible

Kids Definition

indispensable

adjective

in·​dis·​pens·​able ˌin-dis-ˈpen(t)-sə-bəl 

: absolutely necessary : essential

an indispensable employee

indispensability

-ˌpen(t)-sə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

noun

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