INSTRUMENTAL Synonyms: 23 Similar and Opposite Words

instrumental

adjective

Definition of instrumental

as in essential

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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 instrumental And Thursday night, 32-year-old Ray Kerr made his playoff debut and gave his team 3⅓ scoreless innings as its starter, playing an instrumental role as the Braves locked down a winner-take-all National League Wild Card Series game. — Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 2 Oct. 2026 The goal was to recapture the way music was recorded decades ago, bringing musicians together to play live, with large instrumental ensembles that, in some tracks, involved more than 90 musicians. — Franchesca Guim, Billboard, 30 Sep. 2026 No one was more instrumental in the pursuit of Mahomes than Veach. — Kansas City Star, 30 Sep. 2026 Shoshana said those at the center are not opposed to more affordable housing but question why a location that has been instrumental in feeding the arts in Santa Monica is targeted for the build. — Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for instrumental

Recent Examples of Synonyms for instrumental

Adjective

The same report found that 73% of respondents call AI essential, but only 13% of organizations have integrated it into real workflows.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2026
There are more details about his parents, a sojourn into San Francisco’s bustling Chinatown and an assertion of autonomy within the Trask household, of which Lee is an essential part.

— Alison Herman, Variety, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of essential

Adjective

The 2026 Nobel Prize for Chemistry has been awarded to Henri Kagan of the Universite Paris-Sud, in France, and Kenso Soai of the Tokyo University of Science, in Japan, for their work exploring the fundamental geometry of molecules.

— Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 7 Oct. 2026
Unless there's a dramatic fundamental change in the dynamic, Democrats are on pace to capture the Senate and House majorities in November.

— Nathan Gonzales CQ-Roll Call, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of fundamental

Adjective

The policy directs higher education institutions not to create a list of student names linked with immigration status or retain sensitive information, like a student or parent’s Social Security number, for longer than necessary.

— Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 7 Oct. 2026
Officials have also decided on a general application screening and approval process, including what types of background checks will be necessary and which government agencies should be involved.

— Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of necessary

Adjective

Rooms are conservatively classic, but common spaces don't hold back with requisite lobby lounge piano, over-the-top holiday decorations, a grand staircase, and marble fireplace.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Most American universities and colleges desire one or more years of foreign language (Spanish, French, German, etc) from applicants along with the requisite number of core courses (math, science, etc).

— Doug Wojcieszak, Washington Post, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of requisite

Adjective

There is a similar ambivalence to Lee’s reiterative combinations of a few basic elements.

— Barry Schwabsky, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
Highlighting ingredients is paramount with basic, but bountiful baskets of whole organic veggies on offer for a whopping 18€ for two people.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of basic

Adjective

Even when the weights and every elementary computation are available for inspection, no one can readily understand how the models produce a particular answer.

— Ambuj Tewari, The Conversation, 29 Sep. 2026
This school year, Mayor Mamdani paused the use of AI for elementary and middle school students, and provided grade-appropriate bans or guidance on screen time.

— Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of elementary

Adjective

Meta isn’t alone in trying to convince ordinary people that AI is indispensable.

— Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026
Cotton farmers represent an indispensable link in the upstream fashion supply chain, cultivating the very crops that make their way into garments spanning seasonality and circumstances, for brands ranging from mass market to luxury.

— Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of indispensable

Browse Nearby Words

instrument

instrumental

instrumentalist

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“Instrumental.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instrumental. Accessed 8 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of instrumental

adjective

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