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.

Its performance Friday will be a crucial gauge of investor appetite for mega-offerings from OpenAI and Anthropic expected later this year.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 12, 2026

That evaluation, however, overlooks a crucial factor, charter supporters say.

From Los Angeles Times • 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

They added the 12‑month period during which Article 4 was in force in Gwynedd will be "crucial" as the local authority decides on its next steps.

From BBC • Jun. 11, 2026

First, it is crucial to recognize that Washington’s extraordinary reputation rested less on his prudent exercise of power than on his dramatic flair at surrendering it.

From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis

Vocabulary lists containing crucial

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