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noun

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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
Taking away mental health care and essential healthcare services from low-income populations puts an already vulnerable group at a significantly higher risk for addiction. Ryan Hampton, Time, 28 May 2025 Details of the escape remained confidential Wednesday Those involved say discretion is essential to protect the safety of María Alexandra Gómez, a Venezuelan national who is Gallo’s partner, and their son, Victor Benjamin, as well as others who facilitated the operation. Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 28 May 2025
Noun
Cast-iron cookware has been at the center of our kitchen essentials for generations. Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 25 May 2025 Stock up on summer essentials under $25 before Amazon’s Memorial Day sale ends on May 26. Shalwah Evans, People.com, 25 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for essential
Recent Examples of Synonyms for essential
Adjective
  • If additional funding is necessary, the goal is not just to access capital, but to access it strategically.
    Alejandra Rojas, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
  • According to Alvarez, the owners cited financial struggles for why closing was necessary.
    Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 31 May 2025
Adjective
  • You will then be asked to provide basic personal information, like your name, age, current address, device location, etc.
    Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 May 2025
  • Even after one course Rudd can ask what brings them to the clinic and get basic background information.
    Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 30 May 2025
Adjective
  • Choose sustainable and environmentally friendly designs Sustainability isn’t just a trendy term, but an integral part of the design process and Berk advises choosing materials that will weather the elements and won’t need to be replaced every two to three years.
    Mariette Williams, USA Today, 21 May 2025
  • Once Venus enters Taurus and your friendship zone on June 6, your community becomes an integral part of your comfort.
    Valerie Mesa, People.com, 20 May 2025
Noun
  • With Chrome attackers looking to bypass 2FA protections, and compromise passwords, proactive defensive measures are a must.
    Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
  • Our main takeaway: comfy travel outfits are a must.
    Rylee Johnston, Travel + Leisure, 16 May 2025
Adjective
  • The approval of the amendment's ballot title and popular name, which are used as shorthand to describe the measure on the ballot, is a required step before the League of Women Voters can begin collecting signatures.
    Neal Earley, Arkansas Online, 22 May 2025
  • The petition drive was a required step to keep the cityhood application process going.
    Ashley Mackin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 May 2025
Adjective
  • And no, this doesn't mean turning the office into a place full of rudimentary and shallow perks.
    Julian Hayes II, Forbes.com, 26 May 2025
  • His projections were rudimentary by today’s standards, but at the time were ahead of the curve.
    David Hill, Rolling Stone, 24 May 2025
Adjective
  • On the contrary, the power of the purse is reserved to Congress, and the President has no inherent authority to override Congress's will on domestic spending decisions.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 27 May 2025
  • Loro Piana’s connection to the equestrian world was inherent from the very beginning, with brothers Pier Luigi and Sergio Loro Piana, the former co-owners of the Maison, both passoniate riders.
    Felicity Carter, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025
Noun
  • Apart from those violations, the CPSC says the swings also fail to meet mandatory warning requirements required to inform parents of the risks of death or serious injury to infants.
    Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 22 May 2025
  • System requirements: Windows or macOS with an available USB 2.0 port or PlayStation 5 gaming console.
    Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Essential.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/essential. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.

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