VITAL Synonyms: 335 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'vital' different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of vital are cardinal , essential , and fundamental . While all these words mean "so important as to be indispensable," vital suggests something that is necessary to a thing's continued existence or operation. // cut off from vital supplies

Q: When might 'cardinal' be a better fit than 'vital'?

In some situations, the words cardinal and vital are roughly equivalent. However, cardinal suggests something on which an outcome turns or depends. // a cardinal rule in buying a home

Q: When can 'essential' be used instead of 'vital'?

While the synonyms essential and vital are close in meaning, essential implies belonging to the very nature of a thing and therefore being incapable of removal without destroying the thing itself or its character. // conflict is essential in drama

Q: Where would 'fundamental' be a reasonable alternative to 'vital'?

While in some cases nearly identical to vital , fundamental applies to something that is a foundation without which an entire system or complex whole would collapse. // fundamental principles of algebra

vital

adjective

ˈvī-tᵊl

Definition of vital next

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

as in active

having much high-spirited energy and movement the child is vital and active again after being sick

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in essential

impossible to do without I forgot one vital ingredient, and now the biscuits taste strange

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as in lethal

likely to cause or capable of causing death received a vital wound in the abdomen

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as in crucial

of the greatest possible importance a matter that is vital to our national security

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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

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word vital different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of vital are cardinal, essential, and fundamental. While all these words mean "so important as to be indispensable," vital suggests something that is necessary to a thing's continued existence or operation.

cut off from vital supplies

When might cardinal be a better fit than vital?

In some situations, the words cardinal and vital are roughly equivalent. However, cardinal suggests something on which an outcome turns or depends.

a cardinal rule in buying a home

When can essential be used instead of vital?

While the synonyms essential and vital are close in meaning, essential implies belonging to the very nature of a thing and therefore being incapable of removal without destroying the thing itself or its character.

conflict is essential in drama

Where would fundamental be a reasonable alternative to vital?

While in some cases nearly identical to vital, fundamental applies to something that is a foundation without which an entire system or complex whole would collapse.

fundamental principles of algebra

Examples 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 Moscow is not about to waste vital resources in airpower, weaponry or soldiery on peripheral endeavors such as supporting Assad or the Mullahs. —

Melik Kaylan, Forbes, 1 Dec. 2024 For years, this vital task of ensuring software quality has been the domain of skilled programmers, whose meticulous work has been crucial to launching reliable products and sometimes slows down the velocity of new features. —

Chris Gallagher, USA TODAY, 29 Nov. 2024 Establishing a solid emergency fund is vital to maintaining financial stability and avoiding the high costs of unplanned expenses, such as relying on high-interest debt. —

Nia Bowers, Detroit Free Press, 28 Nov. 2024 Under the strategic direction of Soleimani, the IRGC’s Quds Force, along with Iraqi Shiite armed groups, began constructing a vital land bridge to transport supplies, weapons, and personnel from Iran and Iraq into Syria. —

Renad Mansour, Foreign Affairs, 13 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for vital

Recent Examples of Synonyms for vital

Adjective

This set comes with four two-ounce votives that channel two distinct moods: an energetic Up & Up mode and a sleepy Downtime mode.

Blake Bakkila, Architectural Digest, 2 Dec. 2024
The energetic spokesman christened that revitalization by leading an opening day tasting and masterclass on the significance of assemblage.

Brad Japhe, Forbes, 2 Dec. 2024