as in crucial
of the greatest possible importance
the report was missing a pivotal piece of information
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Recent Examples of pivotal
The session, starting June 2, launches the most pivotal month yet in determining the future of the teams.
—
Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 28 May 2025
Comment For weekly updates on all the most pivotal and dramatic moments from Diddy’s trial, sign up for our newsletter: Court Appearances: United States v. Diddy, and check out the rest of our trial coverage here.
—Victoria Bekiempis, Vulture, 27 May 2025
More news: Yankees Make Trade, Send Pitcher to NL Central Club
In the 2021 postseason, Matzek played a pivotal role in the Braves' World Series run, going 3-0 with a 1.72 ERA and 24 strikeouts in 13 appearances and 15.2 innings.
—Noah Camras, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 May 2025
Michaels, 35, was playing a foot soldier in the White Walkers’ army of the dead during a climactic battle sequence in The Long Night, the pivotal third episode in Season 8.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 19 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for pivotal
Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 28 May 2025
Comment For weekly updates on all the most pivotal and dramatic moments from Diddy’s trial, sign up for our newsletter: Court Appearances: United States v. Diddy, and check out the rest of our trial coverage here.
—Victoria Bekiempis, Vulture, 27 May 2025
More news: Yankees Make Trade, Send Pitcher to NL Central Club
In the 2021 postseason, Matzek played a pivotal role in the Braves' World Series run, going 3-0 with a 1.72 ERA and 24 strikeouts in 13 appearances and 15.2 innings.
—Noah Camras, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 May 2025
Michaels, 35, was playing a foot soldier in the White Walkers’ army of the dead during a climactic battle sequence in The Long Night, the pivotal third episode in Season 8.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 19 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for pivotal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pivotal
Adjective
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Crucially, the flagship brand Moncler saw sales rise only 2% and its crucial Europe, Middle East, and Africa region fell by 1%.—
Ganesh Rao,
CNBC,
3 June 2025
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The invisible legacy In the end, Sara is left with one last crucial gift from her mentor, Massimiliano—a CD with an enigmatic message.—
Isabella Wandermurem,
Time,
3 June 2025
Adjective
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The company has developed over 30 AI agents designed to automate key logistics tasks throughout the freight lifecycle.—
Gene Marks,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2025
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The impending launch, which SpaceX officially announced on Friday, May 23 a day after getting key regulatory approval, could be visible halfway around the world as the 400-foot vehicle soars on a suborbital trajectory.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
25 May 2025
Adjective
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His defenders included Laura Loomer, the far-right activist who has often been critical of other Trump nominees with histories of supporting Democrats.—
Jonathan Swan,
The Orlando Sentinel,
31 May 2025
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The timing couldn’t be worse for Harvard: The troubled university currently faces a critical dispute over funding and foreign student visas with the Trump administration.—
Andrew Follett,
National Review,
31 May 2025
Adjective
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The microbes perform vital functions like decomposing organic matter, improving water-holding capacity, cycling nutrients, and suppressing pathogens to improve plant resilience and overall soil health.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
24 May 2025
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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
Cite this Entry
“Pivotal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pivotal. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.
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