as in essential
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 instrumental
Although most of the collection was already finalized, the extra time was instrumental to the creation of more pieces, including statement origami-like dresses.
—
Sandra Salibian, WWD, 25 Feb. 2025
Figuring out what’s causing your nose to be a gushing faucet can be instrumental in treating it.
—Katie Bowles, SELF, 25 Feb. 2025
His physical attributes — height and pace — are instrumental to Glasner’s system.
—Matt Woosnam, The Athletic, 23 Feb. 2025
George Clooney, who was instrumental to Joe Biden stepping down during the presidential election, has taken a common sense approach to Donald Trump’s victory.
—Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 19 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for instrumental
Sandra Salibian, WWD, 25 Feb. 2025
Figuring out what’s causing your nose to be a gushing faucet can be instrumental in treating it.
—Katie Bowles, SELF, 25 Feb. 2025
His physical attributes — height and pace — are instrumental to Glasner’s system.
—Matt Woosnam, The Athletic, 23 Feb. 2025
George Clooney, who was instrumental to Joe Biden stepping down during the presidential election, has taken a common sense approach to Donald Trump’s victory.
—Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 19 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for instrumental
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instrumental
Adjective
-
Sign up to get The Bounce, the essential NBA newsletter from Zach Harper and The Athletic staff delivered free to your inbox.—
Eric Nehm,
The Athletic,
21 Feb. 2025
-
Structural inequities are systemic barriers within institutions — such as health care and employment — that restrict access to essential resources based on one’s race, legal or economic status.—
Deborah Omontese,
The Conversation,
21 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
This widening gap between price increases and wage growth continues to squeeze American households, especially in fundamental living expenses.—
Shelley E. Kohan,
Forbes,
23 Feb. 2025
-
There are fundamental physics and technological reasons for that lack of laser drilling progress.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
23 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
No executions have been carried out in Louisiana since 2010 due to the state’s struggles to get the drugs necessary for lethal injection and scant political will (Landry’s predecessor, Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards, was opposed to the death penalty).—
Dakin Andone,
CNN,
24 Feb. 2025
-
But if that’s necessary, the two-step side passage down to the foredeck is also a smart feature that allows quick access to the main cabin, or to the anchor, if coming into harbor.—
Michael Verdon,
Robb Report,
24 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
And in terms of privacy and data, of course, the DOGE team, anybody who is a government employee, needs to comply with all of the relevant and requisite security laws, all of the privacy laws, that should go without saying.—
Leila Fadel,
NPR,
27 Feb. 2025
-
Listed at 6-foot-3, St. Clair has many skills requisite to be a top modern goalkeeper.—
Jeff Rueter,
The Athletic,
21 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
The basic spreadsheet jockeys are surprised—sad even—that the Fed may not be cutting rates at all this year.—
Brett Owens,
Forbes,
23 Feb. 2025
-
Unlike many basic tees, this shirt retains its shape without sacrificing stretch thanks to Lycra fibers in its fabric.—
Caley Sturgill,
Southern Living,
23 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Her reporting ahead of the 2024 election and in the early days of the new administration has provided audiences with an indispensable perspective at a key moment in American politics.—
Alex Weprin,
The Hollywood Reporter,
24 Feb. 2025
-
Over-indexing on cost-cutting measures will dangerously undermine essential programs like the F-35 — an indispensable asset in the U.S. military’s arsenal.—
Kevin Speed,
Orlando Sentinel,
22 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Under the proposal, the district would change the start and end times for elementary, middle and high school, add 15 minutes to the elementary day, increase math instruction time at the middle school level and change to a block schedule with longer class periods for middle and high school students.—
Michelle Mullins,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Feb. 2025
-
What's happening: Sixth grade will be reconfigured into the elementary buildings, while middle schools will focus on seventh and eighth grades.—
Linh Ta,
Axios,
12 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Instrumental.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instrumental. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share