as in crucial
of the greatest possible importance
the report was missing a pivotal piece of information
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Recent Examples of pivotal
Together, the ongoing legal battles, the potential referendum to strike down the map and the looming race for the 5th District will mark a pivotal moment for Kansas City, potentially altering the city’s political makeup for years.
—
Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 19 Feb. 2026
The rocket maker is planning its seventh Alpha test flight this month, a pivotal moment for the small-lift program after mixed results and investor pressure.
—Karoline Leonard, Austin American Statesman, 19 Feb. 2026
The Mulan legend will guest-star beginning in season 3, and fans of Rick Riordan's book series know just how pivotal this character is.
—Sydney Bucksbaum, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Feb. 2026
The project also marks a pivotal evolution for Delano itself.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pivotal
Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 19 Feb. 2026
The rocket maker is planning its seventh Alpha test flight this month, a pivotal moment for the small-lift program after mixed results and investor pressure.
—Karoline Leonard, Austin American Statesman, 19 Feb. 2026
The Mulan legend will guest-star beginning in season 3, and fans of Rick Riordan's book series know just how pivotal this character is.
—Sydney Bucksbaum, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Feb. 2026
The project also marks a pivotal evolution for Delano itself.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pivotal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pivotal
Adjective
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The two bases have long served as crucial overseas US military staging posts for operations far from home, with Diego Garcia a key airfield for the US’ heavy bomber fleet.—
Brad Lendon,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
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The five-mile bridge opened in 1957, and is a cherished landmark in addition to providing a crucial transportation link for traffic on Interstate 75.—
Paula Wethington,
CBS News,
19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The core of key contributors across Cherundolo’s tenure plus remaining players from the class who arrived in the same window as Son – center back Ryan Porteous and midfielder Mathieu Choinière – were bolstered by transfers who align with how Dos Santos envisions LAFC challenging opponents.—
Josh Gross,
Daily News,
17 Feb. 2026
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However, some rank-and-file Democrats are still floating the idea of funding everything except ICE and Customs and Border Protection, arguing those agencies are already funded and should be isolated from other key government functions.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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After decades of maintaining his innocence, Vedam’s conviction was thrown out by a judge in August after it was revealed that prosecutors had withheld potentially critical ballistics evidence during his two trials.—
Elizabeth Wolfe,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
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His final film earned universal critical acclaim, and was recognized as the best nonfiction film of 2023 by the New York Film Critics Circle, the Los Angeles Film Critics Assn.—
Kevin Crust,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Magnesium is a vital mineral that supports healthy sleep, bone strength, and muscle function.—
Zia Sherrell,
Health,
20 Feb. 2026
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But the talks have made little tangible progress, and Iran partially closed the vital Strait of Hormuz for military drills.—
Tom Chivers,
semafor.com,
20 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pivotal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pivotal. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
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