PIVOTAL Synonyms: 23 Similar and Opposite Words

pivotal

adjective

ˈpi-və-tᵊl

Definition of pivotal

as in crucial

of the greatest possible importance the report was missing a pivotal piece of information

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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 pivotal But those movements are so pivotal, and every tenth of a second matters. — Kathleen Perricone, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Aug. 2026 AstraZeneca and Ionis will reveal details on why their rival gene-silencing drug, eplontersen, failed a pivotal Phase 3 study. — Meghana Keshavan, STAT, 27 Aug. 2026 The distracting Diwali fireworks distracted led to reshoots of the pivotal moment. — Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 26 Aug. 2026 It’s been a long road from that pivotal New Mexican trial to this hilarious cartoon version, with corporations erecting bigger and bigger speed bumps. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pivotal

Recent Examples of Synonyms for pivotal

Adjective

Many market participants believe these results will serve as a crucial bellwether to test whether the AI rally can sustain its momentum.

— , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
Brown’s ability to hammer Husted on this issue is alarming Republican operatives, who see a Husted victory as crucial to holding a majority in the Senate.

— Dan Kaufman, New Yorker, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of crucial

Adjective

The offence remains Toronto’s biggest liability, with key bats like Addison Barger done for the year and others struggling into September.

— Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Axel Springer is expanding in the Middle East, joining a growing number of Western publishers with an editorial presence in the region — and testing a key pillar of its editorial beliefs.

— Max Tani, semafor.com, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of key

Adjective

The critical consensus on the Croisette was similarly effusive.

— Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026
Restrictions on energy, electricity or critical minerals, something Ford also floated, could instead raise costs for American companies and consumers by making key inputs more expensive or harder to obtain.

— Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of critical

Adjective

Charles Bradshaw, community plans and liaison officer at Naval Base Coronado, said the bridge preserves vital defense access as part of the strategic highway network.

— David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Aug. 2026
But Rose explains that this vital inpatient care could cost the family as much as $10,000 a day.

— Daryl Austin, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of vital

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pivot

pivotal

pivoted

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“Pivotal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pivotal. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of pivotal

adjective

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