Definitions

crucial

[kroo-shuhl] / ˈkru ʃəl /

ADJECTIVE

critical, important

Synonyms

STRONGEST

bottom-line central compelling deciding decisive essential imperative momentous necessary pivotal pressing touchy urgent vital

WEAK

acute clamorous climactic desperate dire hanging by thread high-priority insistent on thin ice searching showdown touch and go

Antonyms

STRONGEST

inessential insignificant minor optional secondary trivial unimportant unnecessary voluntary

WEAK

uncritical

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The Democrat will face GOP incumbent Susan Collins this fall in a crucial Senate contest.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 11, 2026

The president said more than 200 commercial ships had safely traveled the crucial waterway, resulting in more than 100 million barrels of oil reaching the market.

From Barron's • Jun. 11, 2026

"And the way he uses his bum to protect the ball... I show my own son that when he's playing football. It's such a bizarre thing to say, but it's such a crucial tool."

From BBC • Jun. 11, 2026

With Americans living longer and the country in the midst of a “great wealth transfer” between generations, estate planning has become a crucial component of any family’s finances.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 10, 2026

To Einstein, the general theory of relativity had a crucial flaw.

From "Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea" by Charles Seife

Vocabulary lists containing crucial

List 1

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Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List

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