CRUCIAL Synonyms: 23 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'crucial' contrast with its synonyms?

The words acute and critical are common synonyms of crucial . While all three words mean "of uncertain outcome," crucial suggests a dividing of the ways and often a test or trial involving the determination of a future course or direction. // a crucial vote

Q: Where would 'acute' be a reasonable alternative to 'crucial'?

While the synonyms acute and crucial are close in meaning, acute stresses intensification of conditions leading to a culmination or breaking point. // an acute housing shortage

Q: How are the words 'critical' and 'acute' related as synonyms of 'crucial'?

Critical adds to acute implications of imminent change, of attendant suspense, and of decisiveness in the outcome. // the war has entered a critical phase

crucial

adjective

ˈkrü-shəl

Definition of crucial next

as in key

of the greatest possible importance water is crucial to our survival

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How does the adjective crucial contrast with its synonyms?

The words acute and critical are common synonyms of crucial. While all three words mean "of uncertain outcome," crucial suggests a dividing of the ways and often a test or trial involving the determination of a future course or direction.

a crucial vote

Where would acute be a reasonable alternative to crucial?

While the synonyms acute and crucial are close in meaning, acute stresses intensification of conditions leading to a culmination or breaking point.

an acute housing shortage

How are the words critical and acute related as synonyms of crucial?

Critical adds to acute implications of imminent change, of attendant suspense, and of decisiveness in the outcome.

the war has entered a critical phase

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of crucial Over the coming weeks, his executive actions have the potential to erase or significantly delay crucial portions of the Golden State’s environmental agenda. —

Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2025 That’s what happened to roughly 100,000 Americans in the summer of 2024 when Synapse Financial Technologies, a crucial middleman between some fintech companies and their partner banks, suddenly collapsed. —

Andreina Rodriguez, CNBC, 21 Jan. 2025 Financial analysts, who tend to see PBMs as a positive influence, note that their negotiating power may be more crucial than ever given the enormous, bank-breaking demand for GLP-1 weight-loss drugs. —

Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 21 Jan. 2025 Solving a key pain point for or with a colleague early on can be a powerful way to build these crucial relationships. —

Andrew Block, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for crucial

Recent Examples of Synonyms for crucial

Adjective

In an interview in late 2023, Wilson told Forbes his key focus was on Amer, whose sales are predicted to surpass $5.1 billion in 2024, up from $4.4 billion in 2023 and $2.5 billion in 2021.

— Jemima McEvoy, Forbes, 25 Jan. 2025
Optical connectivity is emerging as a key enabler, and at the forefront of this transformation is Teramount: An Israeli startup co-founded by Dr. Hesham Taha and Dr. Avi Israel.

— Kyle J. Russell, USA TODAY, 25 Jan. 2025