Synonyms of crucial

crucial

adjective

ˈkrü-shəl 

as in key

of the greatest possible importance

water is crucial to our survival

Synonyms & Similar Words

• key
• critical
• vital
• pivotal
• essential
• fundamental
• necessary
• basic
• decisive
• elementary
• life-or-death
• instrumental
• life-and-death
• urgent
• requisite
• indispensable
• pressing
• weighty

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• minor
• unimportant
• insignificant
• trivial
• inconsequential

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective crucial contrast with its synonyms?

The words acute and critical are common synonyms of crucial. While all three words mean "of uncertain outcome," 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

Where would acute be a reasonable alternative to crucial?

While the synonyms acute and crucial are close in meaning, acute stresses intensification of conditions leading to a culmination or breaking point.

an acute housing shortage

How are the words critical and acute related as synonyms of crucial?

Critical adds to acute implications of imminent change, of attendant suspense, and of decisiveness in the outcome.

the war has entered a critical phase

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of crucial

Blades, who missed the Delaware game due to a foot injury, could be crucial in checking star UConn wide receiver Skyler Bell, who leads the nation in receptions. —Walter Villa, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2025

The show captured some tense moments between Haack and Hall, but Haack says in the hours following their final fight that wasn't caught on camera, Tarek played a crucial role. —Mackenzie Schmidt, PEOPLE, 2 Oct. 2025

The shutdown may delay the release of crucial government data. —Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 2 Oct. 2025

For OpenAI especially, devising new revenue streams is crucial. —Billy Perrigo, Time, 2 Oct. 2025