as in essential
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Recent Examples of instrumental
While many cities were instrumental to the birth of rock and roll, from Memphis and Detroit to San Francisco and New York, for fans who want to pay homage to the genre today, Cleveland is the place to be.
—
Paul J. Heney, Travel + Leisure, 11 Apr. 2026
Informal patronage networks are also instrumental.
—Isaac Stanley-Becker, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2026
The idea of an epic sci-fi retelling of the Book of Daniel, with the idea of following somebody into a vast and overwhelming empire and being instrumental in the empire falling.
—Sarah Lewin Frasier, Scientific American, 10 Apr. 2026
His involvement was instrumental in Xander’s development, ultimately leading to an Olympic gold medal at the 2021 Tokyo Games.
—Nasha Smith, PEOPLE, 10 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for instrumental
Paul J. Heney, Travel + Leisure, 11 Apr. 2026
Informal patronage networks are also instrumental.
—Isaac Stanley-Becker, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2026
The idea of an epic sci-fi retelling of the Book of Daniel, with the idea of following somebody into a vast and overwhelming empire and being instrumental in the empire falling.
—Sarah Lewin Frasier, Scientific American, 10 Apr. 2026
His involvement was instrumental in Xander’s development, ultimately leading to an Olympic gold medal at the 2021 Tokyo Games.
—Nasha Smith, PEOPLE, 10 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for instrumental
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instrumental
Adjective
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The ability to budget, save, manage debt and build credit is essential to navigating modern life.—
Brian Walter,
Baltimore Sun,
14 Apr. 2026
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For the best burger—one with real beefy flavor—fat is essential.—
Li Goldstein,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
14 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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At its most fundamental level, democracy is about people having a real voice in decisions that shape their lives.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Apr. 2026
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Why this matters to families This update changes how Roblox works at a fundamental level.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The Nevada Irrigation District says the increases are necessary to fix aging infrastructure while keeping up with rising costs.—
Conor McGill,
CBS News,
18 Apr. 2026
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Secure loose outdoor items and adjust plans as necessary so you're not caught outside.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
17 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The 18-year time jump provides enough distance from what came before, the returning players supply the requisite cohesion, and its condensed length feels less like bait for new audiences and more like a bonus for fans.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
10 Apr. 2026
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Shappell is earnest and empathetic, but not as incisive and driven as the play really needs to maintain the requisite dramatic tension.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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However, instead of pairing the beachy look with thong sandals or basic white sneakers, Holmes opted for a pair of brown suede Franco Sarto Mary-Jane flats and black accessories for a touch of New York sensibility.—
Emily Tannenbaum,
Glamour,
12 Apr. 2026
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Slowing down, verifying requests and adding basic protections like alerts and two-factor authentication can make a real difference.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
12 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Proceeds support horticulture scholarships at MiraCosta College and fund garden programs in local elementary and middle schools.—
Linda Mcintosh,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Apr. 2026
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This year, six staffers each covered multiple schools across elementary, middle and high school levels to provide therapy and referrals to Johnson County Mental Health.—
Kendrick Calfee,
Kansas City Star,
10 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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One of the most indispensable items for spring tent camping is a rain fly.—
Olivia Young,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Apr. 2026
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Together, these factors have transformed Pakistan into an indispensable mediator, elevating the country’s profile on the global stage.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Instrumental.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instrumental. Accessed 19 Apr. 2026.
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