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 first McDonald’s to open in France was in Strasbourg in 1979, a pivotal date for the French food landscape, Boutboul says.
—
Vivian Song, CNN Money, 3 Apr. 2026
That dynamic is unfolding at a pivotal moment.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 2 Apr. 2026
The Orion spacecraft burned its engine for six minutes, a pivotal move that put astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansenon a trajectory that humans haven’t traveled in more than a half-century.
—Carolyn Y. Johnson, Washington Post, 2 Apr. 2026
The four-person crew is headed on a 10-day, 230,000-mile journey around the moon and back — a pivotal test of the Orion spacecraft that NASA hopes will bring future astronauts to the lunar surface as soon as 2028 and Mars after that.
—Rachel Treisman, NPR, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pivotal
Vivian Song, CNN Money, 3 Apr. 2026
That dynamic is unfolding at a pivotal moment.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 2 Apr. 2026
The Orion spacecraft burned its engine for six minutes, a pivotal move that put astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansenon a trajectory that humans haven’t traveled in more than a half-century.
—Carolyn Y. Johnson, Washington Post, 2 Apr. 2026
The four-person crew is headed on a 10-day, 230,000-mile journey around the moon and back — a pivotal test of the Orion spacecraft that NASA hopes will bring future astronauts to the lunar surface as soon as 2028 and Mars after that.
—Rachel Treisman, NPR, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pivotal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pivotal
Adjective
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Irrigation is crucial in an area that's primarily dry land agriculture.—
Alan Gionet,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
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Called the trans-lunar injection burn (TLI), the crucial maneuver is scheduled to take place roughly 24 hours into the mission.—
Denise Chow,
NBC news,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Isaiah Stewart, a key reserve, missed the game with a left calf strain.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
31 Mar. 2026
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When not giddily tearing apart the rom-com – a key conversation between Charlie and Emma happens in the trope-iest of cinematic eateries, a diner – Borgli asks really major thematic questions with his controversial subject matter.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Millions of Americans enrolled in Medicare Advantage are approaching a critical deadline that could have long-lasting financial consequences.—
Amanda Greenwood,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
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For Iranian athletes who play in domestic-league games that aren’t broadcast internationally, the World Cup serves as a critical launchpad to impress international scouts.—
Albert Samaha,
New Yorker,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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As the most discerning, up-to-the-minute voice in all things travel, Condé Nast Traveler is the global citizen’s bible and muse, offering both inspiration and vital intel.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 Apr. 2026
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After testing vital systems, the crew boosted the Orion capsule to 22,670 mph and escaped Earth’s gravity.—
Tom Chivers,
semafor.com,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pivotal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pivotal. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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