as in crucial
of the greatest possible importance
the report was missing a pivotal piece of information
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pivotal
Marcia, along with the late Rev. J. Kenneth Major, then rector of The Episcopal Church of the Incarnation, were among several community leaders who played a pivotal role in helping to calm the community during the unrest.
—
Bea L. Hines, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2025
The Allure of Premium Branding Beyond the plant itself, branding plays a pivotal role in elevating cannabis to luxury status.
—Matt Rozo, Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2025
Tonga played a pivotal role as a founding member of the Bullet Club stable in New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) in 2013, alongside notable names such as Bad Luck Fale, Karl Anderson, and Prince Devitt.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Apr. 2025
From its groundbreaking 2015 edition, when all juries were led by women, to the increasing percentage of female directors in graduation films, the festival has played a pivotal role in promoting gender equity.
—Jamie Lang, Variety, 23 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pivotal
Bea L. Hines, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2025
The Allure of Premium Branding Beyond the plant itself, branding plays a pivotal role in elevating cannabis to luxury status.
—Matt Rozo, Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2025
Tonga played a pivotal role as a founding member of the Bullet Club stable in New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) in 2013, alongside notable names such as Bad Luck Fale, Karl Anderson, and Prince Devitt.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Apr. 2025
From its groundbreaking 2015 edition, when all juries were led by women, to the increasing percentage of female directors in graduation films, the festival has played a pivotal role in promoting gender equity.
—Jamie Lang, Variety, 23 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pivotal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pivotal
Adjective
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With a constant wave of new competition flooding shelves—and social media—understanding your consumers' needs and habits has never been more crucial.—
Alexandra York,
Forbes.com,
15 Apr. 2025
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All of these activities, at home and abroad, have shaped health policy in crucial ways that in turn protect people’s health.—
Casey Luc,
The Conversation,
14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The Port of Galveston in Texas is nearing completion of its $156 million Cruise Terminal 16, a key infrastructure expansion designed to boost the city's role as a major cruise embarkation point in the Gulf of Mexico.—
Nicholas Creel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 Apr. 2025
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But competition is fierce, and differentiation will be key.—
Ethan Stone,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Enough jaw-dropping critical injuries are sustained by characters in The Raid to overcrowd the Pitt.—
Andy Crump,
Time,
26 Apr. 2025
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The order, which Trump signed in private, seeks to jumpstart the mining of both U.S. and international waters as part of a push to offset China's sweeping control of the critical minerals industry.—
Ernest Scheyder and Jarrett Renshaw,
USA Today,
26 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Players such as Tuch, who emerged as one of the best two-way forwards in the NHL this season, and Zucker, a reliable veteran who gets to the front of the net and plays a no-nonsense game, are vital pieces to a winning team.—
Matthew Fairburn,
New York Times,
19 Apr. 2025
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Another vital bulwark should be the Congress, but thus far, the Republican majorities have avoided acknowledging the problem, let alone taking meaningful steps to address it.—
Angus King,
Time,
18 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pivotal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pivotal. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.
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