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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.

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

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

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

But the war with Iran is already putting India's $6bn bottled water industry under strain as manufacturers struggle to access crucial raw materials.

From BBC • Apr. 2, 2026

The performance of 18A is also crucial for 14A, which is where Intel will hope to attract external customers for its foundry.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 2, 2026

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

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

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