as in crucial
of the greatest possible importance
the report was missing a pivotal piece of information
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples of pivotal in a Sentence
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Recent Examples on the Web
Throughout Election Day, and in the pivotal days ahead, stay with The New Yorker for live updates from reporters across the country, and follow our live results map once the polls close.
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The New Yorker, 5 Nov. 2024
World stock markets were mixed on Tuesday as investors braced for a week packed with pivotal events, most crucially the U.S. presidential election and a Federal Reserve meeting.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
Nonprofits play a pivotal role in community coordination, collaborating with government entities and other organizations to create a cohesive support network.
—Tylor Taylor, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Congresswoman Barbara Lee’s political journey began with a pivotal encounter with Shirley Chisholm—the first Black woman in Congress and the first Black woman to seek a major party’s presidential nomination.
—Shamira Ibrahim, Essence, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pivotal 
The New Yorker, 5 Nov. 2024
World stock markets were mixed on Tuesday as investors braced for a week packed with pivotal events, most crucially the U.S. presidential election and a Federal Reserve meeting.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
Nonprofits play a pivotal role in community coordination, collaborating with government entities and other organizations to create a cohesive support network.
—Tylor Taylor, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Congresswoman Barbara Lee’s political journey began with a pivotal encounter with Shirley Chisholm—the first Black woman in Congress and the first Black woman to seek a major party’s presidential nomination.
—Shamira Ibrahim, Essence, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pivotal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pivotal
Adjective
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Vice President Kamala Harris visited one of Georgia's most diverse cities Thursday with presidential, moviemaking and rock music legends to keep momentum with a crucial voting segment in a pivotal swing state.Thomas Wheatley, Axios, 25 Oct. 2024
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Williams and Wilmore were then left in limbo by several crucial issues, including gas leaks and thruster problems, that plagued their Starliner capsule during the first leg of its trip.Jackie Wattles, CNN, 24 Oct. 2024
Adjective
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For Trump and Republicans, efforts to galvanize key groups of voters proved fruitful.Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 7 Nov. 2024
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Mendoza alleged that last year, Vince Wells, a key proponent of Measure L, told her that his organization would be running someone against her in this election.Hema Sivanandam, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Asian Americans in particular have emerged as a critical part of the electorate, now making up about a quarter of the district’s population as its largest minority group.Kimmy Yam, NBC News, 13 Nov. 2024
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Trump would go on to win the critical swing states of Michigan and Pennsylvania in his landslide victory.Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 12 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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The team hoped the animals could particularly help within bringing to the surface vital, fertilizing microorganisms such as endosymbiotic rhizobial bacteria and Mycorrhizal fungi.Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 7 Nov. 2024
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SpaceX has become an increasingly vital partner to NASA and the U.S. Defense Department, with contracts worth billions.Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 6 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near pivotal
Cite this Entry
“Pivotal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pivotal. Accessed 19 Nov. 2024.
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