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noun

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an essential role
a necessary role
a crucial role
an imperative role
a vital role
an integral role
essential information
critical information
fundamental information
useful information
primary information
precious information
an essential element
a key element
a requisite element
a major element
a main element
an important element

Synonym Chooser

How is the word essential different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of essential are cardinal, fundamental, and vital. While all these words mean "so important as to be indispensable," essential implies belonging to the very nature of a thing and therefore being incapable of removal without destroying the thing itself or its character.

conflict is essential in drama

When could cardinal be used to replace essential?

While in some cases nearly identical to essential, cardinal suggests something on which an outcome turns or depends.

a cardinal rule in buying a home

When is fundamental a more appropriate choice than essential?

While the synonyms fundamental and essential are close in meaning, fundamental applies to something that is a foundation without which an entire system or complex whole would collapse.

fundamental principles of algebra

When would vital be a good substitute for essential?

The words vital and essential are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, vital suggests something that is necessary to a thing's continued existence or operation.

cut off from vital supplies

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of essential
Adjective
Injuries restricted Howe’s ability to rotate last season; when Newcastle return to Europe in 2025-26, greater tinkering will be essential. Chris Waugh, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2025 The possible measures include not allowing any further advance construction authorization or environmental approvals for projects within Manhattan except for those deemed essential for public safety. Jared Gans, The Hill, 21 Apr. 2025
Noun
Stock up on spring wardrobe essentials while these stylish blouses are on sale in Amazon’s outlet right now. Clara McMahon, People.com, 21 Apr. 2025 In between all the on-screen drama, check out today's best deals on must-have summer essentials. Kasey Caminiti, USA Today, 20 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for essential
Recent Examples of Synonyms for essential
Adjective
  • During a 2020 heat wave, California’s grid operator was forced to institute rotating outages, a necessary step to protect the grid in California and neighboring states.
    Michael Wara, Mercury News, 25 Apr. 2025
  • Though this is promising, additional evidence is necessary to confirm the potential role peptides may play in protection against sun damage.13 3.
    Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The new requirement goes into effect nationwide on that date, making a basic driver's license a relic at airports set up for Real IDs.
    Emily Forlini, PC Magazine, 24 Apr. 2025
  • But basic economic theories don’t tell the whole story, Indarte added.
    Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • In Super Nintendo World, for example, restaurants and stores are integral parts of the narrative journey — offering moments of discovery and interaction, not simply transactions.
    Kate Hardcastle, Forbes.com, 27 Apr. 2025
  • Glyphosate is used widely as an integral part of raising crops including corn, soybeans and cotton genetically modified to resist its killer effect, and as a desiccant on potatoes, sugar beets, wheat and other crops just before harvest.
    John Klar, Baltimore Sun, 27 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Parental monitoring a must, chief says Mooresville police conducted a similar sting in May 2024 called Operation Artemis, which led to 15 arrests.
    Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 24 Apr. 2025
  • For connoisseurs, the pairing menus are a must, blending storytelling and flavor with seamless precision.
    Rai Mincey, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • White children also had fewer days from termination of parental rights to adoption finalization, a required step in the adoption process, with an average time of 273.5 days.
    Cheyanne M. Daniels, The Hill, 24 Apr. 2025
  • The Heat assert Pena hasn’t used the marks at issue in commerce, a required step under trademark law.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Instead of making something miraculous out of rudimentary materials, Government Cheese has a pantry of fine ingredients but never puts together anything palatable.
    Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 15 Apr. 2025
  • This enables the system to plan novel action sequences to achieve specified goals—a rudimentary form of reasoning and planning.
    Jason D. Greenblatt, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Photograph: Courtesy of Sean Hartnoll For decades, physicists and mathematicians have wanted to show that these chaotic dynamics are not an artifact of the simplifying assumption of decoupling, but inherent to black holes.
    Lyndie Chiou, Wired News, 20 Apr. 2025
  • Watch less often and watch more than one network, taking inherent and obvious biases into account.
    Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 19 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • India's import licensing requirements, foreign direct investment caps, and state-run trading monopolies control who can do business and under what terms.
    Garth Friesen, Forbes.com, 27 Apr. 2025
  • President Donald Trump signed an executive order earlier this year establishing new national voter identification requirements.
    Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Essential.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/essential. Accessed 2 May. 2025.

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