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
Zoot suits gained popularity during the Harlem Renaissance, a cultural, artistic and literary movement within the Black community that emerged in the early 20th century and was a pivotal time for Black dandyism.
—
Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
Though overshadowed by the immediate aftermath of military escalation, this statement marks the beginning of a pivotal and unprecedented transition in the Islamic Republic.
—Pegah Banihashemi, Twin Cities, 2 July 2025
The images of the attack were pivotal to Erin Smith's efforts to change the designation of her husband's death.
—CBS News, 24 June 2025
These three organizations were pivotal to Hurricane Helene relief efforts and continue to help the community rebuild.
—Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 24 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for pivotal
Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
Though overshadowed by the immediate aftermath of military escalation, this statement marks the beginning of a pivotal and unprecedented transition in the Islamic Republic.
—Pegah Banihashemi, Twin Cities, 2 July 2025
The images of the attack were pivotal to Erin Smith's efforts to change the designation of her husband's death.
—CBS News, 24 June 2025
These three organizations were pivotal to Hurricane Helene relief efforts and continue to help the community rebuild.
—Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 24 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for pivotal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pivotal
Adjective
-
Cloudflare's system could also threaten web projects like The Internet Archive, which notably played a crucial role in helping track data deleted from government websites after Donald Trump took office.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
9 July 2025
-
With excitement growing over his pace and death-bowling abilities in the crucial latter stages of an innings — ramped up after a final-over hat-trick against Middlesex in the Twenty20 Blast — England fast-tracked him.—
Max Mathews,
New York Times,
9 July 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
-
This figure has already surpassed the 1,274 cases recorded during the peak year of 2019, marking a critical public health milestone reached just halfway through 2025.—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 July 2025
-
From there, the first-year MLS club made two critical defensive errors.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 July 2025
Adjective
-
Starting conversations isn’t just vital for deals to eventually get done; it’s also required to build your understanding of the market and is a critical first step before any successes can be achieved.—
Travis Clinger,
Forbes.com,
11 July 2025
-
As climate extremes intensify and global tipping points loom, Earth science has never been more vital — but not everyone is treating it that way.—
Daisy Dobrijevic,
Space.com,
11 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pivotal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pivotal. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share