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 Skaggs said Flock cameras, the controversial cameras that scan license plates and the physical characteristics of thousands of cars each day, were instrumental in making the arrests. — Monroe Trombly, Louisville Courier Journal, 2 Sep. 2026 For her part, Wintour has been instrumental in rebuilding Galliano’s career after he was fired from Dior. — Hikmat Mohammed, ARTnews.com, 2 Sep. 2026 That risks leaving a sour taste in the mouths of people who see Fox News and its ilk as instrumental in the ascension of the far right. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026 Mitchell was instrumental to the launch of the Black Honors College — a first-of-its-kind institution that provides a specialized educational experience for students interested in Black history, culture and contributions. — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 1 Sep. 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
  • Koeckeritz argued that a paved parking lot is an essential accessory to its main function — worship — not the principal use of the property across the street from the towering cathedral.
    — Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Which essential services, such as banks and postal delivery, will be closed?
    — Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of essential
Adjective
  • This will accelerate an arms race as each side fears losing its ability to retaliate, a fundamental requirement of nuclear stability.
    — Jeffrey Lewis, Foreign Affairs, 1 Sep. 2026
  • If operating as one team is the objective, the challenge extends beyond culture to the fundamental way success is defined and measured across the enterprise.
    — Guy Yehiav, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of fundamental
Adjective
  • Onslaught Is All Blood, No Guts Adam Wingard’s latest film is a too-slick wannabe grindhouse action-slasher lacking the engine necessary to power it.
    — Britina Cheng, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Rather than directly buying the land necessary, Kingsbarn will look to participate in an exchange.
    — Joshua Hong, Fortune, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of necessary
Adjective
  • Though the operation took place at the workshop of the Crown Jeweller, Garrard & Company, British artisans lacked the requisite skill, prompting the Prince to hire master cutters from Amsterdam’s Royal Coster Diamonds.
    — Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Gini, an agronomist who has overseen the planting of some two hundred thousand trees in Parco Nord in the past quarter century, has the tan skin, strong hands, and hearty disposition that are requisite for the job.
    — Eric Klinenberg, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of requisite
Adjective
  • Between the classic crossbody design, gold hardware accents, and rich color, this purse is anything but basic.
    — Alyssa Morin, InStyle, 3 Sep. 2026
  • There’s nothing basic about this evening look from the Elie Saab H&M collaboration.
    — Tina Isaac-Goizé, Vogue, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of basic
Adjective
  • The additional restrictions at these school districts come a few months after the school district and police department in Rocklin banned Class 2 and Class 3 e-bikes on elementary and middle school campuses.
    — Madison Smalstig, Sacbee.com, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Adding West High School will require drawing a third zone, and the zone boundaries will affect the racial and socioeconomic balance of schools, along with transportation times and feeder patterns for elementary and middle schools.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of elementary
Adjective
  • The person who fills gaps consistently becomes indispensable to the people around them.
    — Stacy L. Hambleton, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2026
  • As the media landscape has become increasingly decentralized, niche publications, newsletters and independent journalists have become an indispensable part of our outreach efforts.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 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 8 Sep. 2026.

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