1
as in energetic
having active strength of body or mind
a man who remained vital well into his 90s
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in active
having much high-spirited energy and movement
the child is vital and active again after being sick
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in essential
impossible to do without
I forgot one vital ingredient, and now the biscuits taste strange
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in lethal
likely to cause or capable of causing death
received a vital wound in the abdomen
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in crucial
of the greatest possible importance
a matter that is vital to our national security
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in refreshing
having a renewing effect on the state of the body or mind
after the long, dreary winter, we welcomed the vital rays of the summer sun
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 vital
Laney said shuttered labs in Morgantown and Pittsburgh were vital to the respiratory division’s work.
—
Bob Ortega, CNN Money, 4 June 2025
At the same time, the world’s third-largest economy has faced a demographic crisis that by necessity has spurred technological innovation, including making strides in areas such as AI, robotics, and space—all of which are vital to defense.
—Chad De Guzman, Time, 4 June 2025
Kojic acid may increase your skin's sensitivity to the sun, especially when first using it, so sunscreen application is vital.
—Susan Bard, Verywell Health, 4 June 2025
The stunts have become so vital to the franchise that Cruise and McQuarrie have taken to planning them first, and then figuring out the plot later.
—Tyler Foggatt, New Yorker, 24 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for vital
Bob Ortega, CNN Money, 4 June 2025
At the same time, the world’s third-largest economy has faced a demographic crisis that by necessity has spurred technological innovation, including making strides in areas such as AI, robotics, and space—all of which are vital to defense.
—Chad De Guzman, Time, 4 June 2025
Kojic acid may increase your skin's sensitivity to the sun, especially when first using it, so sunscreen application is vital.
—Susan Bard, Verywell Health, 4 June 2025
The stunts have become so vital to the franchise that Cruise and McQuarrie have taken to planning them first, and then figuring out the plot later.
—Tyler Foggatt, New Yorker, 24 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for vital
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vital
Adjective
-
Today, DeVos said that Eliana, now 3, is a happy and energetic toddler, and her scar is hardly noticeable.—
Vanessa Etienne,
People.com,
6 June 2025
-
The latest victim who attempted friendship with one of these hungry giants ended up causing the most energetic explosion to ever occur in the universe.—
Stephanie Edwards,
Discover Magazine,
5 June 2025
Adjective
-
Since the show's conclusion, Zoe has remained active in the fashion and lifestyle space, in part through her newsletter The Zoe Report, which launched in 2009.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
People.com,
7 June 2025
-
Action step: Practice active listening during meetings.—
Kent Ingle,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
Adjective
-
Captions are essential, especially on mobile devices or in quiet settings.—
Dr. Diane Hamilton,
Forbes.com,
8 June 2025
-
Emotional requirements: Compassion, patience and resilience are all essential but don’t expect emotional support in return.—
JJ Holmes,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 June 2025
Adjective
-
But after autopsy results from the last inmate killed by that method showed that the bullets from the three volunteers nearly missed his heart, Stanko chose lethal injection.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 June 2025
-
Now 20 years later, Stanko is set to be executed by lethal injection in South Carolina on Friday, June 13, in what will be the nation's 23rd execution of the year and the fourth this week alone.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
14 June 2025
Adjective
-
Memphis fell in the standings toward the end of the year, and this offseason was already going to be a crucial one.—
Matt Levine,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 June 2025
-
Victor Olofsson injected crucial secondary scoring (15 goals in 56 games) at a dirt-cheap $1.075 million rate.—
Harman Dayal,
New York Times,
15 June 2025
Adjective
-
Each bottle features a numeric code which indicates the distillery its from and unique descriptions written up by its tasting panel, a refreshing way to try whisky without any prior expectations about a brand.—
Felipe Schrieberg,
Forbes.com,
15 June 2025
-
Nothing beats the taste of a refreshing piece of watermelon on a hot day, so having some cut up and ready in the refrigerator is crucial as the days warm up.—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
14 June 2025
Adjective
-
Soon, such models may be able to account for the role played by environmental exposures and chance—offering a more dynamic, individualized map of risk.—
Siddhartha Mukherjee,
New Yorker,
16 June 2025
-
Organizations that master this dynamic gain more than smoother project workflows.—
ESMT Berlin,
Forbes.com,
16 June 2025
Adjective
-
The primary bedroom suite mirrors the lively palette of the living room, blending mustard, green, and cobalt in deeply tactile textiles.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
12 June 2025
-
In one image, Turner was seen kissing the singer's head with his arm around her shoulders, while another showed the couple engaged in a lively chat while laying on the ground.—
Raven Brunner,
People.com,
12 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Vital.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vital. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share