instrumental

adjective

Definition of instrumentalnext
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 Alongside the Massachusetts Emergency and Hygiene Association (MEHA), an offshoot of the Boston Woman’s Education Association, Zakrzewska was instrumental in establishing sand play in Boston. — Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 13 July 2026 That Mbappé was born in Paris and had been an instrumental part of France’s World Cup win just a few years prior did not seem to matter. — Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 13 July 2026 As Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, Graham would have been instrumental in crafting the package. — Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 13 July 2026 The actor portrays Odysseus, a legendary Greek king of Ithaca who was instrumental in their win during the Trojan War. — Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 12 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for instrumental
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instrumental
  1. essential
  2. fundamental
  3. necessary
  4. requisite
  5. basic
  6. elementary
  7. indispensable
Adjective
  • This time around, organizers can ask non-essential workers to work remotely.
    — Barry Svrluga, New York Times, 24 July 2026
  • That means that refining academic habits and executive functioning skills early is essential.
    — Christopher Rim, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
Definition of essential
Adjective
  • Pressing is the fundamental quality for every player, even those in creative, attacking positions.
    — Michael Cox, New York Times, 22 July 2026
  • Imagine burning down your life's work just to gain an insider edge against a team that barely knows how to play fundamental baseball.
    — Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 22 July 2026
Definition of fundamental
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
  • There might be content from tryouts and the requisite 'Happy Birthday' posts, but this summer, the Dolphins cheerleaders made a bold statement during the World Cup.
    — Joe Kinsey OutKick, FOXNews.com, 21 July 2026
  • Once certified, petitioners then have just over two months to collect and submit the requisite number of signatures to local registrars and ultimately the Secretary of State.
    — Robert Cordy, Boston Herald, 19 July 2026
Definition of requisite
Adjective
  • Natalie Boren, an executive VP at recruiter Career Group Companies, responsible for fashion staffing, is surprised how many interviewees cannot muster basic information about a fashion house’s most recent work — or even the creative director’s name.
    — Cami Fateh, Vogue, 22 July 2026
  • The Ring confirmed the basic-cable carry when the fight was made official.
    — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
Definition of basic
Adjective
  • Iranian media reported that body fragments of 32 victims of a bombing on an Iranian elementary girls' school nearly five months ago, identified after DNA tests, were laid to rest Wednesday.
    — Jane Arraf, NPR, 22 July 2026
  • Children ages 6-11, in the early elementary years, are still developing socially.
    — Elizabeth Dowdell, Fortune, 15 July 2026
Definition of elementary
Adjective
  • He leveraged gas wealth to create a network of dependencies, making Qatar indispensable to diverse international actors, from energy buyers and the US military to global investors and mediation partners.
    — Güney Yıldız, Forbes.com, 18 July 2026
  • While the federal government remains indispensable in public health, these state-level collaborations demonstrated that regional governance can emerge quickly when national leadership falters.
    — John Eger, Mercury News, 17 July 2026
Definition of indispensable

Browse Nearby Words

instrument
instrumental
instrumentalist
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Cite this Entry

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

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More from Merriam-Webster on instrumental

Nglish: Translation of instrumental for Spanish Speakers

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