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

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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

Examples of crucial in a Sentence

These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Recent Examples on the Web Mischief in the Mideast Syria has played a crucial role in extending the reach of Putin’s military complex over the past decade and has continued to in the present moment with Ukraine. —

Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, TIME, 24 Oct. 2024 Her groundbreaking work, The History of Mary Prince, not only provided a poignant firsthand account of the brutal realities of slavery but also played a crucial role in the abolitionist movement. —

Shelby Stewart, Essence, 24 Oct. 2024 Related Articles In Shanghai, another crucial retail market, Our Legacy has a retail kiosk within the multibrand retail store Maison Dongliang that soft-launched last week during Shanghai Fashion Week. —

Denni Hu, WWD, 24 Oct. 2024 Williams and Wilmore were then left in limbo by several crucial issues, including gas leaks and thruster problems, that plagued their Starliner capsule during the first leg of its trip. —

Jackie Wattles, CNN, 24 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for crucial

Recent Examples of Synonyms for crucial

Adjective

Mendoza alleged that last year, Vince Wells, a key proponent of Measure L, told her that his organization would be running someone against her in this election.

Hema Sivanandam, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024
For Trump and Republicans, efforts to galvanize key groups of voters proved fruitful.

Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 7 Nov. 2024