as in crucial
of the greatest possible importance
the report was missing a pivotal piece of information
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Recent Examples of pivotal
The session, starting June 2, launches the most pivotal month yet in determining the future of the teams.
—
Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 28 May 2025
Comment For weekly updates on all the most pivotal and dramatic moments from Diddy’s trial, sign up for our newsletter: Court Appearances: United States v. Diddy, and check out the rest of our trial coverage here.
—Victoria Bekiempis, Vulture, 27 May 2025
More news: Yankees Make Trade, Send Pitcher to NL Central Club
In the 2021 postseason, Matzek played a pivotal role in the Braves' World Series run, going 3-0 with a 1.72 ERA and 24 strikeouts in 13 appearances and 15.2 innings.
—Noah Camras, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 May 2025
Michaels, 35, was playing a foot soldier in the White Walkers’ army of the dead during a climactic battle sequence in The Long Night, the pivotal third episode in Season 8.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 19 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for pivotal
Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 28 May 2025
Comment For weekly updates on all the most pivotal and dramatic moments from Diddy’s trial, sign up for our newsletter: Court Appearances: United States v. Diddy, and check out the rest of our trial coverage here.
—Victoria Bekiempis, Vulture, 27 May 2025
More news: Yankees Make Trade, Send Pitcher to NL Central Club
In the 2021 postseason, Matzek played a pivotal role in the Braves' World Series run, going 3-0 with a 1.72 ERA and 24 strikeouts in 13 appearances and 15.2 innings.
—Noah Camras, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 May 2025
Michaels, 35, was playing a foot soldier in the White Walkers’ army of the dead during a climactic battle sequence in The Long Night, the pivotal third episode in Season 8.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 19 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for pivotal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pivotal
Adjective
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As such, supplemental Federal assistance is crucial.—
Neal Earley,
Arkansas Online,
23 May 2025
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Importantly, a dog’s wants and needs do not always align with what their owners expect, and this is a crucial point in regards to animal welfare.—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
22 May 2025
Adjective
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Qatar has also been a key financial backer of Hamas.—
Robert Schmad,
The Washington Examiner,
25 May 2025
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The Florida Panthers ended up being down two key forwards for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference final against the Carolina Hurricanes.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
25 May 2025
Adjective
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But at locations now facing critical shortages, staffing overnight shifts on a routine basis is no longer possible.—
Emily Mae Czachor,
CBS News,
31 May 2025
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But expert groups were more critical of the proposal.—
Katherine Dillinger,
CNN Money,
31 May 2025
Adjective
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The stunts have become so vital to the franchise that Cruise and McQuarrie have taken to planning them first, and then figuring out the plot later.—
Tyler Foggatt,
New Yorker,
24 May 2025
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The microbes perform vital functions like decomposing organic matter, improving water-holding capacity, cycling nutrients, and suppressing pathogens to improve plant resilience and overall soil health.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
24 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pivotal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pivotal. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.
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