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

Example Sentences

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Recent Examples of crucial Kate’s work focuses on how the relationships and interactions between parents and carers and their babies and young children is the most crucial factor that can influence social and emotional development during early childhood. —

Simon Perry, People.com, 2 Feb. 2025 Ultimately, reforming the pardon power is crucial to ensuring that the president remains accountable to the law and the American people. —

Steven Delco, Hartford Courant, 2 Feb. 2025 For product leaders, the implications are clear: The future belongs to platforms that can turn those crucial first moments from an awkward introduction into the beginning of a valuable relationship. —

Kalyan Garimella, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025 The vapor chamber cooling system is larger on all three—a crucial component to keep the phones from getting too hot during intense gaming sessions—with the chamber in the S25 Ultra getting a 40 percent size bump. —

Julian Chokkattu, WIRED, 22 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for crucial

Recent Examples of Synonyms for crucial

Adjective

The key wrinkle, however, is that Daphne and Darcy don’t have kids, inverting what Croot’s boyish character represents for them.

— Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 25 Jan. 2025
Another important country to watch, according to Meissner, is Panama, a key pathway for migrants journeying to the US border from South America.

— Catherine E. Shoichet, CNN, 25 Jan. 2025