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

Walberg has become the indispensable glue that elevated the series from trash TV to a therapeutic exercise for both the cast and audience. —Todd Gilchrist, IndieWire, 7 May 2026

The 12,000-square-foot prime real estate indicates just how indispensable fashion is to art as well as to The Met in terms of attracting visitors and donors through the Met Gala. —Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 4 May 2026

In the year since its opening, Atlanta’s public safety training center has moved beyond the protest and division that marked its origins to become what police describe as an indispensable tool to rebuild its ranks and better train Atlanta officers, firefighters and 911 operators. —Shaddi Abusaid, AJC.com, 3 May 2026

Democratic politics thrive when leaders and followers act with modesty and humility, when no one sees themselves as infallible or indispensable. —Austin Sarat, The Conversation, 30 Apr. 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