indispensable

adjective

in·​dis·​pens·​able ˌin-di-ˈspen(t)-sə-bəl 

1

: absolutely necessary : essential

an indispensable member of the staff

2

: not subject to being set aside or neglected

an indispensable obligation

indispensability

ˌin-di-ˌspen(t)-sə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

indispensable noun

indispensableness

ˌin-di-ˈspen(t)-sə-bəl-nəs 

noun

indispensably

ˌin-di-ˈspen(t)-sə-blē 

adverb

Synonyms

• all-important
• critical
• essential
• imperative
• integral
• must-have
• necessary
• necessitous
• needed
• needful
• required
• requisite
• vital

Examples of indispensable in a Sentence

fully aware that he was an indispensable assistant, he decided that it was high time that he be paid what he was worth

Recent Examples on the Web

Her reporting ahead of the 2024 election and in the early days of the new administration has provided audiences with an indispensable perspective at a key moment in American politics. —Alex Weprin, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Feb. 2025

Over-indexing on cost-cutting measures will dangerously undermine essential programs like the F-35 — an indispensable asset in the U.S. military’s arsenal. —Kevin Speed, Orlando Sentinel, 22 Feb. 2025

These advancements will collectively redefine the customer service landscape, making AI an indispensable tool for enhancing both efficiency and customer experience while maintaining ethical and human-centered principles. —Mukul Garg, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025

Washington was the indispensable man at the critical moment of national formation, a singularly respected and trusted leader whom all of the fiery faces of the nascent republic-building movement could trust and would follow. —Michael Peregrine, Chicago Tribune, 17 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1653, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for indispensable

• compensable
• condensable
• defensible
• dispensable
• extensible
• insensible
• ostensible
• comprehensible
• indefensible
• reprehensible
• supersensible
• incomprehensible

Kids Definition

indispensable

adjective

in·​dis·​pens·​able ˌin-dis-ˈpen(t)-sə-bəl 

: absolutely necessary : essential

an indispensable employee

indispensability

-ˌpen(t)-sə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

noun

Legal Definition

indispensable

adjective

in·​dis·​pen·​sa·​ble ˌin-di-ˈspen-sə-bəl 

: having rights so connected to the claims of the parties to an action that the action cannot be adjudicated without affecting those rights see also indispensable party at party