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Showing results for crucial. Search instead for crucians.
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.

A crucial one to watch will be after a planned communication blackout during which the Orion passes behind the far side of the Moon.

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026

All of which will make the coming earnings-reporting season crucial, especially managements’ discussion of their outlooks.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

Nivola, in a particularly tough role, displays a heady mix of alpha machismo, tenderness and contempt that is just as funny as it needs to be without losing a crucial dimensionality.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

Having some guarantees of safe passage for ships and oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz will be crucial though.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 2, 2026

These had features in common with codes she had solved before, and they were more crucial to the war effort than the chatter of South American spies.

From "The Woman All Spies Fear" by Amy Butler Greenfield

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.