as in crucial
of the greatest possible importance
the report was missing a pivotal piece of information
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pivotal
Does any thinking person believe this approach will help in the here and now?
— David M. Steadman, Chicago
This summer, Chicago stands at a pivotal moment.
—
Chicago Tribune, 24 June 2025
Amid the slide in the polls with millennials, the president has faced numerous pivotal moments in his second administration thus far.
—Anna Commander, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 June 2025
This year may be a pivotal moment for that population, as a number of the regulations and programs protecting them currently hang in the balance.
—Wes Siler, Outside Online, 23 June 2025
That hands-on curiosity led to a pivotal moment in 2015 when then-CEO Bradford Hewitt asked her to run the company’s core business.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for pivotal
Chicago Tribune, 24 June 2025
Amid the slide in the polls with millennials, the president has faced numerous pivotal moments in his second administration thus far.
—Anna Commander, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 June 2025
This year may be a pivotal moment for that population, as a number of the regulations and programs protecting them currently hang in the balance.
—Wes Siler, Outside Online, 23 June 2025
That hands-on curiosity led to a pivotal moment in 2015 when then-CEO Bradford Hewitt asked her to run the company’s core business.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for pivotal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pivotal
Adjective
-
The 34-year-old Argentine goalkeeper wasn’t overworked, as Rayados’ defensive shape only gave him 10 shots on target to deal with across the three contests, but his stops were crucial.—
The Athletic Staff,
New York Times,
28 June 2025
-
The Senate parliamentarian has advised that a Medicaid provider tax overhaul central to President Donald Trump’s tax cut and spending bill does not adhere to the chamber’s procedural rules, delivering a crucial blow as Republicans rush to finish the package this week.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
27 June 2025
Adjective
-
This groundbreaking marks a key milestone in validating our power curve and achieving essential cost efficiencies for wind energy.—
Loz Blain
June 30,
New Atlas,
30 June 2025
-
The key measure of Wall Street’s health fell nearly 20% from Feb. 19 through April 8.—
Elaine Kurtenbach,
Chicago Tribune,
30 June 2025
Adjective
-
That mindset is gone—owners are sinking money into the franchises, which is critical as the players negotiate their new CBA.—
Kurt Badenhausen,
Sportico.com,
24 June 2025
-
Businesses and the financial sector in particular have already been warned by experts and government agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security, that Iran might respond to the U.S.’s air strikes by trying to hack critical digital infrastructure.—
Paolo Confino,
Fortune,
24 June 2025
Adjective
-
His size and ability to elevate over defenders are vital to his penchant for converting on shots others wouldn't dare take.—
Bobby Krivitsky,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2025
-
Ukraine is completely out of ammunition for its two vital missile defense SAMP/T batteries, the Franco-Italian version of the U.S. Patriot missile defense system, according to sources speaking with Le Monde late last month.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
29 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pivotal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pivotal. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.
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