indispensable

adjective

ˌin-di-ˈspen(t)-sə-bəl How to pronounce indispensable (audio)
Definition of indispensablenext
as in essential
impossible to do without fully aware that he was an indispensable assistant, he decided that it was high time that he be paid what he was worth

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 indispensable Objects indispensable to a population’s survival are prohibited as military targets under the Geneva Conventions. — Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 15 July 2026 For truck owners who frequently travel, tow equipment, or use their vehicle for work, side steps become one of those upgrades that quickly feels indispensable. — New Atlas, 13 July 2026 Amid the crisis, electric tricycles have become indispensable. — ABC News, 10 July 2026 Whether managing high-stakes healthcare logistics, handling sudden spikes in online shopping or rerouting shipments around geopolitical disruptions, these companies have proven indispensable to global commerce—hence the valuation. — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 10 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for indispensable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for indispensable
  1. essential
  2. necessary
  3. integral
  4. required
  5. needed
  6. needful
  7. vital
Adjective
  • One of Ramboll’s innovations is to address reactive power, a component of electricity that does not perform useful work but is essential in maintaining electrical and magnetic fields and controlling voltage levels.
    — Drew Robb, IEEE Spectrum, 16 July 2026
  • Proper watering is essential for healthy rose bushes and ensures vibrant, beautiful blooms in your garden.
    — Samantha Johnson, Martha Stewart, 16 July 2026
Definition of essential
Adjective
  • Under the circumstances seen in the video, Harrison said, firing a gun was not necessary.
    — Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 18 July 2026
  • Is another big sale, most importantly Bruno Guimaraes, necessary this summer?
    — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 18 July 2026
Definition of necessary
Adjective
  • Player sales — which are planned for, are made on Newcastle’s terms and, where possible, at the point of maximum value — have become integral.
    — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 18 July 2026
  • Companies like Priority Pass are expanding their offerings to include diverse airport experiences such as dining, retail, and wellness, transforming airports from mere transit points into integral parts of the journey.
    — Jeff Fromm, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
Definition of integral
Adjective
  • According to a July 3 letter obtained by The Sacramento Bee, the city still needed to complete required rezoning, adopt the housing element and submit both to HCD before the department could certify the plan.
    — Naomi Taxay, Sacbee.com, 17 July 2026
  • Plaintiffs alleged that the event promoters were negligent in failing to secure required permits, not providing adequate security or crowd control and misrepresenting the event as safe for families, according to the statement.
    — Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 July 2026
Definition of required
Adjective
  • Thanks to soccer, often called the world’s beautiful game, many found a needed distraction.
    — Alfredo Corchado, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2026
  • Add mulch to flower beds as the rain lets up for the season, so it won’t get washed away and will still retain needed moisture.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 10 July 2026
Definition of needed
Adjective
  • Her voice is slurred, needful, abject.
    — Jayson Greene, Pitchfork, 8 May 2026
  • That image of God never has a problem, never has a disease, never lacks anything needful or truly desirable, and has never sinned.
    — Douglas Sytsma, Christian Science Monitor, 30 Jan. 2025
Definition of needful
Adjective
  • Iran had been pressing the Houthis to close the Bab el-Mandeb Strait if the United States continued to attack Iranian power infrastructure, a move that would put two of the world's most vital energy arteries at risk, according to Reuters.
    — Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 22 July 2026
  • Some rooms still contain the original claw feet from the original bathtubs, such is the dedication to preserving the hotel's long, vital history.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 July 2026
Definition of vital

Browse Nearby Words

indiscriminating
indispensable
indisposed
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Indispensable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/indispensable. Accessed 24 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of indispensable for Spanish Speakers

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