as in crucial
of the greatest possible importance
the report was missing a pivotal piece of information
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pivotal
How does Obama go, in a pretty compressed number of years, from nearly an impossibility—the very act of his election seeming like a pivotal moment in the country to many people—to this by the end of his term?
—
David Remnick, New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2025
This brings us to the differences between the characters, which point to pivotal schisms between Anderson and Pynchon as storytellers.
—Andrew McGowan, Variety, 26 Sep. 2025
The press release for The Golden Bachelor Season 2 explained why 2020, which was also the year Mel filed for divorce from his ex-wife Fabiana Pimentel Owens, was such a pivotal time for him.
—Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 25 Sep. 2025
Take a peak at one of last season’s pivotal moments below.
—Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 25 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pivotal
David Remnick, New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2025
This brings us to the differences between the characters, which point to pivotal schisms between Anderson and Pynchon as storytellers.
—Andrew McGowan, Variety, 26 Sep. 2025
The press release for The Golden Bachelor Season 2 explained why 2020, which was also the year Mel filed for divorce from his ex-wife Fabiana Pimentel Owens, was such a pivotal time for him.
—Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 25 Sep. 2025
Take a peak at one of last season’s pivotal moments below.
—Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 25 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pivotal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pivotal
Adjective
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All that fat is crucial for helping bears survive the harsh Alaskan winter.—
Natalie Krebs,
Outdoor Life,
25 Sep. 2025
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Finding the right combinations Arguably the biggest challenge in any Ryder Cup is figuring out how to help players of an individual sport work together as a team, so selecting the pairings is crucial.—
Don Riddell,
CNN Money,
25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Defense attorneys for the man accused of killing his Miami Hurricanes football star teammate in 2006 want prosecutors sanctioned — or the murder case dismissed — after a key witness, who state prosecutors believed was dead, was found alive by an ESPN reporter.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
25 Sep. 2025
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The Leap is predicated on severing attachment to all things (see Laura’s inability to feel love for her baby), but love is a key factor in creating a secure attachment.—
Erin Qualey,
Vulture,
25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The armed group controls tens of thousands of acres of coca plantations and has gained significant political leverage as President Gustavo Petro’s Administration scrambles to secure agreements with armed groups critical to advancing Colombia’s broader peace talks and anti-narcotics efforts.—
Kayti Burt,
Time,
29 Sep. 2025
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Yet the medical center in central Ukraine, just 60 miles from the frontline, plays a critical role in the current Russia-Ukraine war, where traumatic brain injuries are all-too-common.—
Greg Myre,
NPR,
29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Tasked with delivering a vital secret weapon to their allies, the soldiers soon discover that what lurks in the forest is far more terrifying than their German foe.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
29 Sep. 2025
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Alisha Johnson Wilder, Apple’s senior director of environment, policy, and social initiatives, said the company is proud to support the vital work of Empowerment Plan.—
Natalie Davies,
Freep.com,
29 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pivotal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pivotal. Accessed 1 Oct. 2025.
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