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Synonym Chooser

How is the word vital different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of vital are cardinal, essential, and fundamental. While all these words mean "so important as to be indispensable," vital suggests something that is necessary to a thing's continued existence or operation.

cut off from vital supplies

When might cardinal be a better fit than vital?

In some situations, the words cardinal and vital are roughly equivalent. However, cardinal suggests something on which an outcome turns or depends.

a cardinal rule in buying a home

When can essential be used instead of vital?

While the synonyms essential and vital are close in meaning, essential implies belonging to the very nature of a thing and therefore being incapable of removal without destroying the thing itself or its character.

conflict is essential in drama

Where would fundamental be a reasonable alternative to vital?

While in some cases nearly identical to vital, fundamental applies to something that is a foundation without which an entire system or complex whole would collapse.

fundamental principles of algebra

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 vital Fans of their work know color was a vital element in their designs, which range from the Children’s Discovery Museum in San Jose to Caudra San Cristóbal on the outskirts of Mexico City, the latter opening to the public this year as a cultural center for art and architecture. Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 28 Feb. 2025 This may seem too basic, but your team plays a vital role in VoIP network security. Ruchir Brahmbhatt, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025 Fasting, which is one of the five pillars of Islam, is a vital part of Ramadan, the period when Muslims believe the angel Gabriel first revealed the Quran, Islam’s central religious text, to the Prophet Muhammad. Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 28 Feb. 2025 Azerbaijan has also tried to bully and threaten its way into disingenuous peace deals with Armenia while plotting with Turkey, a key ally, in taking sovereign lands away from Armenia including the Zangezur Corridor, a vital trade route located between the two countries. Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 17 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for vital
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vital
Adjective
  • The collection includes portraits of McCartney’s bandmates—John Lennon, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr—as well as evocative self-portraits and energetic scenes captured through car windows as the band navigated the chaos of their newfound fame.
    Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 19 Feb. 2025
  • Meanwhile, the longer, bigger flares may occur due to magnetic reconnection events, or when two different magnetic fields collide near the black hole and release energetic particles moving near the speed of light.
    Ashley Strickland, CNN, 19 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Molland had been active as a touring musician and frontman through last September.
    Chris Willman, Variety, 2 Mar. 2025
  • Then, as soon as the light levels rose enough to support active carbon fixation in late March, the algae were ready to explode into action.
    Asher Elbein, WIRED, 2 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Rust, Martin maintained, was essential to doing the kind of driver work necessary to crafting efficient and secure drivers for Apple's newest chipsets.
    Kevin Purdy, Ars Technica, 21 Feb. 2025
  • Nanette came at the height of the #MeToo movement and immediately following the first election of Donald Trump, but its themes contain a degree of universality that make the special just as essential a watch now as eight years ago.
    Will DiGravio, TIME, 21 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • The Minderoo Foundation, founded in 2001 and co-led by Forrest and his wife from whom he is separated, has come to fund everything from efforts to address lethal humidity to climate migration.
    Justin Worland, TIME, 25 Feb. 2025
  • Glossip nearly receives lethal injection Glossip has had nine separate execution dates scheduled and has nearly been executed several times.
    Sean Murphy, Chicago Tribune, 25 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Gold, which is universally recognized and not tied to credit or another counterparty, is a crucial reserve.
    Sarah Min, CNBC, 27 Feb. 2025
  • For animals like dogs, cats, and monkeys, ear movement helps track sounds, which is crucial for detecting predators or prey.
    Clarissa Brincat, Popular Science, 27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Standouts include the Iberian pork with figs, and the refreshing pineapple, pink peppercorn and passion fruit dessert.
    Isabelle Kliger, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
  • So, yes, a refreshing interlude Wednesday night at the start of this four-game homestand.
    Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • As models learn and adapt, their underlying parameters shift, requiring a dynamic approach to inference serving.
    Suvarna Krishnan, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
  • On the shores of the Atlantic, the region birthed the dynamic Gullah culture and communities of Black fisherfolk who gave America shrimp and grits, crab rice, she-crab soup, and the one-pot wonder Hoppin’ John.
    Cynthia R. Greenlee, Bon Appétit, 28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Riverdale In Riverdale, outside Village Hall, there was a lively scene Tuesday afternoon as members of Michael Airhart’s mayoral campaign were ordered to remove their campaign signs from a median.
    Samantha Moilanen, Chicago Tribune, 25 Feb. 2025
  • Around the room’s standing tables and plush, blush-pink lounge seats, friends, castmates, and both new and familiar faces engaged in lively conversation.
    Jamila Stewart, Vogue, 24 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Vital.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vital. Accessed 6 Mar. 2025.

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