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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Bellingham has often been accused of having the requisite ego.
    — Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 14 July 2026
  • The convention floor was packed with the requisite Marvel superheros (Spiderman remains a favorite, tights and all).
    — Connie Ogle July 11, Miami Herald, 11 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
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Instrumental.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instrumental. Accessed 23 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on instrumental

Nglish: Translation of instrumental for Spanish Speakers

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