pivotal

adjective

ˈpi-və-tᵊl How to pronounce pivotal (audio)
Definition of pivotalnext
as in crucial
of the greatest possible importance the report was missing a pivotal piece of information

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 pivotal May 17 was chosen to mark the day Lee left Hong Kong and returned to San Francisco at age 18, a pivotal moment that helped launch his acting and martial arts teaching career. — Kassia Bonesteel, CBS News, 1 July 2026 While 2026 presents undeniable challenges for behavioral health, addressing these pivotal trends will be essential to building a more resilient, equitable and effective care delivery system. — Ian West, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026 NBCUniversal could be up for grabs by 2029 — a pivotal year when the NFL is expected to open negotiations for a new round of broadcast rights. — Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026 Rookie Chase DeLauter added three hits for the Guardians, who host the AL Central-leading Chicago White Sox in a pivotal four-game series starting on Thursday. — ABC News, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for pivotal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pivotal
  1. crucial
  2. key
  3. critical
  4. vital
Adjective
  • Both Wine Institute and the California Association of Winegrape Growers applauded the recent letters from Congress to Quebec, saying getting American wine back into Canada is crucial to aiding their struggling industry.
    — Lizzie Kane, Sacbee.com, 3 July 2026
  • Fairview a ‘crucial’ crossing The two Fairview bridges were built 44 years apart.
    — Mark Dee July 3, Idaho Statesman, 3 July 2026
Definition of crucial
Adjective
  • Ukraine, meantime, has also recently ramped up missile and drone attacks against key infrastructure deep inside Russian territory, including oil refineries, ports and military factories.
    — Helen Regan, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
  • Verbeek also has lost four key defensemen — captain Radko Gudas, Jacob Trouba, John Carlson and Olen Zellweger — in the past month while adding only journeyman Nick Jensen as a probable replacement.
    — Greg Beacham, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
Definition of key
Adjective
  • Infrastructure In infrastructure, the analysts said investors should look at companies that own critical networks such as grids, pipelines, fiber networks and transport assets that are difficult to replicate.
    — Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 8 July 2026
  • Women comprise 35% of US STEM employees, yet retention, not attraction, is the primary challenge, with women leaving at higher rates and companies losing critical knowledge.
    — Janice Gassam Asare, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026
Definition of critical
Adjective
  • Brennan argues the records are vital to a potential vindictive-prosecution defense, citing more than 100 Trump statements attacking him and directives to pursue cases without legal basis.
    — Eric Tucker, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
  • There are fees imposed for the use of other vital shipping lanes, including the Suez and Panama Canals, where fees can amount to hundreds of thousands of dollars for the largest cargo vessels.
    — Joanne Stocker, CBS News, 1 July 2026
Definition of vital

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Pivotal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pivotal. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on pivotal

Nglish: Translation of pivotal for Spanish Speakers

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