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.

It is crucial that you speak with a real person who can support you right now.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 12, 2026

Turnout will be a crucial factor after a lacklustre campaign hit by voter apathy.

From Barron's • Apr. 12, 2026

This highlights how crucial these protective structures are for enduring extreme environments.

From Science Daily • Apr. 12, 2026

By moving the signal closer to the processor, the CPO approach improves power efficiency, increases bandwidth and lowers latency — all crucial to running powerful AI workloads.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 11, 2026

Although these exercises were developed for children with special needs, they are highly applicable in developing crucial musical listening skills and for helping children recognize categories of music, instruments, and timbre of sounds.

From "Music and the Child" by Natalie Sarrazin

Vocabulary lists containing crucial

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