1
as in energetic
having active strength of body or mind
a man who remained vital well into his 90s
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in active
having much high-spirited energy and movement
the child is vital and active again after being sick
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in essential
impossible to do without
I forgot one vital ingredient, and now the biscuits taste strange
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in lethal
likely to cause or capable of causing death
received a vital wound in the abdomen
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in crucial
of the greatest possible importance
a matter that is vital to our national security
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in refreshing
having a renewing effect on the state of the body or mind
after the long, dreary winter, we welcomed the vital rays of the summer sun
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 vital
Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, prompting sprawling sanctions from Western allies, who have also, led by the U.S., provided vital military aid to Kyiv for its defense against Moscow.
—
Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 May 2025
Packed inside the tiny sunflower seed is a well-rounded mix of vital nutrients like healthy fats and other nutrients.
—Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 23 May 2025
For some, this is a vital community hub, a space that must be preserved.
—Meg Anderson, NPR, 23 May 2025
China hit back by putting export curbs on some rare earth elements, vital for U.S. manufacturers of weapons and electronic consumer goods, and raising tariffs on U.S. goods to 125%.
—Emma Farge, USA Today, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for vital
Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 May 2025
Packed inside the tiny sunflower seed is a well-rounded mix of vital nutrients like healthy fats and other nutrients.
—Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 23 May 2025
For some, this is a vital community hub, a space that must be preserved.
—Meg Anderson, NPR, 23 May 2025
China hit back by putting export curbs on some rare earth elements, vital for U.S. manufacturers of weapons and electronic consumer goods, and raising tariffs on U.S. goods to 125%.
—Emma Farge, USA Today, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for vital
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vital
Adjective
-
That motion can help build strength that translates over to tons of daily tasks, like walking an energetic dog or opening a heavy door, to name a few.—
Christa Sgobba,
SELF,
12 May 2025
-
With energetic DJs and robata shows, this is definitely the place to be seen.—
Jim Dobson,
Forbes.com,
9 May 2025
Adjective
-
Moreover, for active and retired military members, a 10% military discount is available year-round.—
Fernando Cervantes Jr,
USA Today,
26 May 2025
-
Today, Meta employs 74,000 employees despite having 3.3 billion monthly active users.—
Kian Bakhtiari,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2025
Adjective
-
Misty Copeland shares essential advice from Prince, favorite dish to cook, self-care tips The attitude required dealing with critics: 'Great empathy for these people' Years of criticism has taught Zee not to absorb the negativity of online trolls.—
Erin Jensen,
USA Today,
17 May 2025
-
Meanwhile, emotional intelligence is consistently ranked as one of the most essential skills for navigating the future of work.—
Leisse Wilcox,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2025
Adjective
-
Oscar Franklin Smith is set to be executed by lethal injection for the 1989 murder of his estranged wife, 35-year-old Judith Robirds Smith, and her sons.—
Fernando Cervantes Jr,
USA Today,
22 May 2025
-
The last electrocution was in 1990, the method has been lethal injection since that time.—
Ray Hanley,
Arkansas Online,
21 May 2025
Adjective
-
As such, supplemental Federal assistance is crucial.—
Neal Earley,
Arkansas Online,
23 May 2025
-
However, the forward has proved a crucial player under head coach Hansi Flick this season and has emerged as a leading candidate for the Ballon d’Or.—
Pol Ballús,
New York Times,
22 May 2025
Adjective
-
That glistening swimming hole might look—and feel—refreshing on a sweltering day.—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
23 May 2025
-
In an era of horror mired in pathos and trauma metaphors, there’s a refreshing simplicity to movies that are just about finding new ways to turn people into goop.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
22 May 2025
Adjective
-
Additionally, Canada Post is proposing a dynamic routing model for its urban unit, in which where routes are planned and optimized daily to align workloads, prevent the overburdening of employees with volumes and create more predictable service for customers.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
23 May 2025
-
Even though he is getting upstaged by Judge just a bit, Crow-Armstrong is having a dynamic season for the Chicago Cubs; one that will probably earn him a healthy contract extension this offseason.—
Jared Wyllys,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
Adjective
-
Insects, much like their human counterparts, are more lively in the spring and summer when the weather is warmer.—
Simmone Shah,
Time,
20 May 2025
-
The conversation was lively and funny, with the actress discussing her defining role in 1976’s Carrie and nearly missing out on Lynne Ramsay’s current Cannes title, Die, My Love.—
Aaron Couch,
HollywoodReporter,
18 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Vital.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vital. Accessed 28 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share