essential 1 of 2

1
2
3

essential

2 of 2

noun

Try This Instead

For
Try This
an essential role
a necessary role
a crucial role
an imperative role
a vital role
an integral role
essential information
critical information
fundamental information
useful information
primary information
precious information
an essential element
a key element
a requisite element
a major element
a main element
an important element

Synonym Chooser

How is the word essential different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of essential are cardinal, fundamental, and vital. While all these words mean "so important as to be indispensable," essential implies belonging to the very nature of a thing and therefore being incapable of removal without destroying the thing itself or its character.

conflict is essential in drama

When could cardinal be used to replace essential?

While in some cases nearly identical to essential, cardinal suggests something on which an outcome turns or depends.

a cardinal rule in buying a home

When is fundamental a more appropriate choice than essential?

While the synonyms fundamental and essential are close in meaning, fundamental applies to something that is a foundation without which an entire system or complex whole would collapse.

fundamental principles of algebra

When would vital be a good substitute for essential?

The words vital and essential are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, vital suggests something that is necessary to a thing's continued existence or operation.

cut off from vital supplies

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 essential
Adjective
And the Intelligent Mirror prototype scans your face and monitors your most essential health statistics in one convenient, portable mirror package. Lisa A. Beach, USA TODAY, 17 Mar. 2025 Influencing Without Authority For a tech leader, influencing without authority is essential. Expert Panel®, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
Noun
Featuring two compartments with a removable divider insert, this case has room for all your essentials, and nothing wiggles around. Kiana Murden, Vogue, 14 Mar. 2025 In Finland, the National Emergency Supply Agency, a government department, works with around 1,500 companies to ensure stockpiles, redundancy, information sharing, and other essentials that may be necessary in a crisis. Daniel Byman, Foreign Affairs, 13 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for essential
Recent Examples of Synonyms for essential
Adjective
  • Going home just before the season turns was necessary, especially since the pop star had a busy end to last season.
    India Espy-Jones, Essence, 20 Mar. 2025
  • Boasberg, however, gave the administration until Thursday at noon to comply or justify withholding the information, stating that his request was necessary to determine if the government deliberately ignored the court's order.
    Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 20 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The basic Hulu subscription with ads is $9.99 per month, while the Disney+, Hulu Bundle basic starts at $10.99/month.
    Monica Mercuri, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
  • That obviates your basic hedonistic predilection / For a rhythmic stroking of your fur to demonstrate affection.
    Ashley Belanger, Ars Technica, 19 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • In the 2½ seasons since that turnaround, Bryant has become an integral part of a group that has collected big moments to initiate a program about-face.
    Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Dan was an integral part of our organization for 35 seasons, and his work as executive producer of the Chiefs Radio Network helped bring the game to life for millions of listeners across Chiefs Kingdom.
    Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 21 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The fish tacos at Tide Tables in Cortez are a must, and several spots in the Bradenton area beach communities like Hurricane Hanks, The Sandbar Restaurant, and Woody’s River Roo are also worth a visit.
    Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 21 Mar. 2025
  • The tableside guacamole—mashed to order and impossibly fresh—is a must, setting the stage for smoky, slow-roasted tacos and a cocktail list stacked with premium tequilas and mezcals.
    Keyla Vasconcellos, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The Fix: Ensure your job descriptions are clear and concise, outlining required skills, responsibilities and expectations.
    Rebecca Skilbeck, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025
  • Management did instruct Hughley to document the use of Benadryl but did not get the required parental signature on the form.
    Minyvonne Burke, NBC News, 18 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Chase scenes are easily tracked over rich urban terrain, and shootouts tend to play out in clear, rudimentary compositions.
    Ben Travers, IndieWire, 14 Mar. 2025
  • But those rudimentary models based on pre-defined rulesets are rapidly becoming obsolete compared to the current capabilities of AI.
    Sailesh Sewpaul, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Unquestionably, left-wing, woke, and pretentiously out-of-touch artists dominate these forms, but there is nothing inherent in the forms themselves that says this must be so.
    Peter Tonguette, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 14 Mar. 2025
  • In his life, there is one thread that binds all chapters: Thor’s electrifying positivity that vexes all pessimists and his inherent ability to connect with others.
    Tyler Shepherd, USA TODAY, 13 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Holtec can go ahead with the tube repairs on its schedule, but the company does so at its own risk as the NRC will decide whether the repairs meet requirements in the end, Burnell said.
    Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 22 Mar. 2025
  • Gary contends the user rates for the three communities are decades old and too low to meet the requirements of a federal consent decree.
    Carole Carlson, Chicago Tribune, 22 Mar. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Essential.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/essential. Accessed 27 Mar. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on essential

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!