1
as in necessary
impossible to do without
a well-stocked public library is essential for the well-being of a community
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in basic
of or relating to the simplest facts or theories of a subject
anyone with an essential knowledge of human biology can follow the documentary
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in integral
being a part of the innermost nature of a person or thing
an unquenchable belief in the essential goodness of most people
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in must
something necessary, indispensable, or unavoidable
the essentials for success include a willingness to work and the right attitude
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in principles
essentials plural
general or basic truths on which other truths or theories can be based
this will be just an introduction to the essentials of computer programming
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Try This Instead
Try This InsteadFor
Try This
an essential role
essential information
critical information
fundamental information
useful information
primary information
precious information
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of essential
Stacey Lastoe, Southern Living, 8 June 2025
The lounge space — accounting for about 10% of the building — is intended to build community and friendships which UConn believes is essential to academic success.
—Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 8 June 2025
Erika Owen, Architectural Digest, 3 June 2025
The quarter-zip baselayer is one of my fall camping essentials.
—Alice Bennett, Travel + Leisure, 29 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for essential
Adjective
Plus, tiny insects can find their way into strawberry crevices, so careful washing is essential to protect your health.
—Stacey Lastoe, Southern Living, 8 June 2025
The lounge space — accounting for about 10% of the building — is intended to build community and friendships which UConn believes is essential to academic success.
—Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 8 June 2025
Noun
And while there are no drawers or additional shelves, a few divided compartments are within the desk’s body to keep your daily essentials close by.
—Erika Owen, Architectural Digest, 3 June 2025
The quarter-zip baselayer is one of my fall camping essentials.
—Alice Bennett, Travel + Leisure, 29 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for essential
Recent Examples of Synonyms for essential
Adjective
-
But policy continuity is key to attracting the foreign investment necessary to realize these goals.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
13 June 2025
-
This can lead you to eat fewer calories and create a calorie deficit, which is necessary for fat loss.—
Jillian Kubala,
Health,
12 June 2025
Adjective
-
The basic premise was that given the seriousness of the issues at hand, the heads of State themselves needed to work out a coordinated strategy.—
Robert Hormats,
Time,
10 June 2025
-
The drones and their release systems had to be tested in these demanding conditions to validate their ability to carry out the basic components of the mission.—
GrrlScientist,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
Adjective
-
Becoming Prepared For Tomorrow AI is no longer a frontier test technology but is becoming an integral part of engineering excellence.—
Srinivasa Rao Bittla,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2025
-
Orlando’s ‘Ren’ Theatre pushes boundaries to make its artistic mark Orlando’s Renaissance Theatre has become an integral part of the Central Florida theater scene — by pushing theatrical boundaries.—
Matthew J. Palm,
The Orlando Sentinel,
12 June 2025
Noun
-
In these turbulent times learning how to manage disputes is a must.—
Harvard Business Review,
Harvard Business Review,
12 June 2025
-
Trader Joe's mini sheet cakes are a must for many shoppers.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
12 June 2025
Adjective
-
This comes to a head when he is faced with the F.A.A.’s required medical questionnaire.—
Gideon Lewis-Kraus,
New Yorker,
25 May 2025
-
Enacted after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the SEVP rules and certification process were intended to encourage schools to report when students dropped out or no longer maintained a required courseload and to remove fraudulent or illegitimate schools.—
Stuart Anderson,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2025
Adjective
-
Although contemporary smart assistants such as Alexa or Google Assistant can manage rudimentary household commands—like turning on lights or checking the weather—agentic AI signifies a profound shift.—
Sandeep Shivam,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
-
These pioneers used rudimentary plows, but when steel plows became available farmers were able to plant and harvest much more food per acre to feed a growing population.—
Mary Ann Grossmann,
Twin Cities,
31 May 2025
Adjective
-
Humans in the Loop For sure, there’s a need to celebrate the human in the loop, and the inherent value of humanity.—
John Werner,
Forbes.com,
8 June 2025
-
There is an inherent asymmetry of vulnerability here; doctors and patients are not equals at the Thanksgiving table.—
Danielle Ofri,
New Yorker,
7 June 2025
Noun
-
While Hochul’s executive order bars the State Police from cooperating with immigration enforcement, the same isn’t true for the state’s myriad local cops, which have a patchwork of requirements; NYC has its own prohibitions but Rotterdam, clearly, does not.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
14 June 2025
-
This would be Whitson’s second trip on an Axiom mission to the ISS, and part of NASA’s requirement that former NASA astronaut command commercial mission visits to the ISS.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Essential.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/essential. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
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