as in essential
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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
As his marimba portion is just the melody parts of each song, he will be accompanied by pre-recorded instrumental tracks in order to fully present each orchestration.
—
Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026
Phelps was also instrumental in NASCAR becoming more welcoming to people of all backgrounds, pushing NASCAR’s founding France family to disassociate from its relationship with the Confederate flag.
—Jordan Bianchi, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
Oman played an instrumental role in the back-channel negotiations between Iran, the United States, and Europe that led to the Iran nuclear deal in 2015.
—Galip Dalay, Time, 6 Jan. 2026
Florence's mom, Brooke, says Girl Scouts has been instrumental for her daughter.
—Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 6 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for instrumental
Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026
Phelps was also instrumental in NASCAR becoming more welcoming to people of all backgrounds, pushing NASCAR’s founding France family to disassociate from its relationship with the Confederate flag.
—Jordan Bianchi, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
Oman played an instrumental role in the back-channel negotiations between Iran, the United States, and Europe that led to the Iran nuclear deal in 2015.
—Galip Dalay, Time, 6 Jan. 2026
Florence's mom, Brooke, says Girl Scouts has been instrumental for her daughter.
—Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 6 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for instrumental
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instrumental
Adjective
-
The brain is composed mainly of fat, including omega-3 fatty acids and cholesterol, which are essential for maintaining brain cell structure and function.—
Julia Ries Wexler,
Health,
9 Jan. 2026
-
That’s why investing in a plush, comfortable duvet insert or comforter is essential for creating a cozy oasis to start the new year off well-rested.—
Rylee Johnston,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
So, music is one component, a very important component, fundamental and even elemental.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
14 Jan. 2026
-
The First Amendment establishes fundamental freedoms of speech, press, religion, and peaceful assembly.—
Chelsea Bailey,
CNN Money,
14 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The moratorium, which was confirmed by the league, was necessary because the sides failed to reach a deal on a new collective bargaining agreement or an extension of the current one by Friday night’s deadline.—
Doug Feinberg,
Twin Cities,
13 Jan. 2026
-
The moratorium, which was confirmed by the league, was necessary because the sides failed to reach a deal on a new collective bargaining agreement or an extension of the current one by Friday night's deadline.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
13 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The ability to socialize is a critical skill to living in groups (seemingly more critical than the toilet is) and a basic pre-requisite of civilization.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Jan. 2026
-
As much as its share price rose, its earnings per share rose even faster resulting in a moderating of its multiple without a requisite decline in price.—
Josh Brown,Sean Russo,
CNBC,
2 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
At that point, the operator would recite the most intimate details of a patient’s health history to hook her before launching into a few basic screening questions.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Ross argued that allowing local police to provide basic crowd control — rather than restricting coordination — could have reduced risks during recent confrontations.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
11 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The educators at elementary, middle and high schools across the district received honorary titles as chairs of teaching excellence for one year in their respective subjects.—
Lina Ruiz,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Tutoring elementary students is one of the best opportunities to build meaningful community relations, program officials say.—
Regina Elling,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Still, some worried that the indispensable man was too indispensable.—
Jake Lundberg,
The Atlantic,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Watching thrillers or murders on TV (and now on OTT platforms) and turning into an uncritical enthusiast of plot in the evenings is similarly indispensable to openness to plotlessness during the day.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Instrumental.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instrumental. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
