Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

crucial

adjective

Synonyms and Antonyms of crucial

of the greatest possible importance

  • water is crucial to our survival
Synonyms of crucial

critical, key, pivotal, vital
Words Related to crucial

decisive, life-and-death (also life-or-death), weighty

basic, elementary, fundamental

essential, indispensable, necessary, requisite

pressing, urgent
Near Antonyms of crucial

inconsequential, insignificant, minor, trivial, unimportant

Synonym Discussion of crucial

acute, critical, crucial mean of uncertain outcome. acute stresses intensification of conditions leading to a culmination or breaking point.
    • an acute housing shortage
critical adds to acute implications of imminent change, of attendant suspense, and of decisiveness in the outcome.
    • the war has entered a critical phase
crucial suggests a dividing of the ways and often a test or trial involving the determination of a future course or direction.
    • a crucial vote

Learn More about crucial

  1. Dictionary: Definition of crucial Spanish Central: Translation of crucial Nglish: Translation of crucial for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of crucial for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up crucial? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments hide comments

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

exculpate

to clear from alleged fault or guilt

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. gaslight It is a word, though.

  2. invasion CNN reporter questions President.

  3. relevancy Ariana Grande slams ex-fiancé.

SEE ALL

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games