as in crucial
of the greatest possible importance
the report was missing a pivotal piece of information
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Gameweek 24 feels like a pivotal moment to gain rank and pursue some upside.
—
Abdul Rehman, New York Times, 30 Jan. 2026
Technology is playing a pivotal role in this acceleration.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 30 Jan. 2026
Garnett’s pivotal rulings came a day after a 35-year-old Minnesota man was charged with impersonating an FBI agent in an apparent attempt to spring Mangione from federal lockup in Brooklyn in a bizarre episode detailed in court documents.
—Adam Reiss, NBC news, 30 Jan. 2026
From the crossing of the Delaware, which to this day is reenacted every year at the spot where the military units landed in New Jersey, to the many other pivotal moments in our nation's history, the Tri-State Area is home to some remarkable facts.
—Mary Calvi, CBS News, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pivotal
Abdul Rehman, New York Times, 30 Jan. 2026
Technology is playing a pivotal role in this acceleration.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 30 Jan. 2026
Garnett’s pivotal rulings came a day after a 35-year-old Minnesota man was charged with impersonating an FBI agent in an apparent attempt to spring Mangione from federal lockup in Brooklyn in a bizarre episode detailed in court documents.
—Adam Reiss, NBC news, 30 Jan. 2026
From the crossing of the Delaware, which to this day is reenacted every year at the spot where the military units landed in New Jersey, to the many other pivotal moments in our nation's history, the Tri-State Area is home to some remarkable facts.
—Mary Calvi, CBS News, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pivotal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pivotal
Adjective
-
Mikel Arteta and his players are facing criticism for not imposing themselves on opposition teams forcefully enough, allowing valuable points to slip through their fingers at such a crucial point of the season.—
Graham Ruthven,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Liberal and conservative polls show the president’s support is cratering across all groups because of ICE’s excesses but especially with independents and Latinos, two constituencies crucial to his 2024 triumph and the future of MAGA.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Thus, De’Anthony Melton and Al Horford, both key figures off the bench, were in street clothes on the second night of a back-to-back.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
27 Jan. 2026
-
The Warriors were down four of their key rotational pieces, on top of being without Jimmy Butler — who was lost for the season earlier this month after suffering a torn ACL.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Hillis Schild, executive director of the fund, said such projects meet critical community needs, but often struggle to secure traditional bank financing.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Nick Geller, managing director of Steadfast LA, highlighted the organization’s emphasis on protecting critical community infrastructure.—
Michelle Edgar,
Daily News,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
There's also a vital element of resource management that plays a role in every encounter, forcing players to juggle power distribution between shields, weapons, and engines while also managing heat levels within their craft.—
Alan Bradley,
Space.com,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Sulfur is one of only six elements essential to life on Earth and may have been a critical ingredient in the earliest life on Earth, providing vital fuel to ancient microbes, according to Sara Russell, a professor of planetary sciences at the Natural History Museum in London.—
Jacopo Prisco,
CNN Money,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pivotal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pivotal. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
