1
as in energetic
having active strength of body or mind
a man who remained vital well into his 90s
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in active
having much high-spirited energy and movement
the child is vital and active again after being sick
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in essential
impossible to do without
I forgot one vital ingredient, and now the biscuits taste strange
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in lethal
likely to cause or capable of causing death
received a vital wound in the abdomen
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in crucial
of the greatest possible importance
a matter that is vital to our national security
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in refreshing
having a renewing effect on the state of the body or mind
after the long, dreary winter, we welcomed the vital rays of the summer sun
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 vital
This will speed up vital projects like reinforcing the seawall and converting septic systems to sewer pipelines, boosting community resilience.
—
Miami Herald Staff, Miami Herald, 21 Mar. 2025
This includes providing supplemental funding to high-poverty K-12 school districts that provide vital child care services for many low-income and rural communities across the country.
—Ivana Saric, Axios, 20 Mar. 2025
Step 4: Work The Plan Having a clear plan is vital when responding to extreme disruption.
—Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
Inside the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, vital support staff are gone, international partnerships have been strained, and workers are afraid to discuss threats to democracy that they’re now prohibited from countering.
—Eric Geller, WIRED, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for vital
Miami Herald Staff, Miami Herald, 21 Mar. 2025
This includes providing supplemental funding to high-poverty K-12 school districts that provide vital child care services for many low-income and rural communities across the country.
—Ivana Saric, Axios, 20 Mar. 2025
Step 4: Work The Plan Having a clear plan is vital when responding to extreme disruption.
—Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
Inside the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, vital support staff are gone, international partnerships have been strained, and workers are afraid to discuss threats to democracy that they’re now prohibited from countering.
—Eric Geller, WIRED, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for vital
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vital
Adjective
-
Chamberlin oversaw the spiritual and energetic cleansing of each fragrance during a final ceremonial step.—
Celia Shatzman,
Forbes.com,
28 Mar. 2025
-
According to the team, this behavior is comparable to birds that appear to deliberately use favorable thermal uplifts to reduce the energetic costs of flying.—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Brock Nelson, Colorado Avalanche The Avalanche have been one of the most active teams on the trade market throughout the season, but adding Nelson was one of the most pivotal parts of their deadline dealings.—
Shayna Goldman,
New York Times,
26 Mar. 2025
-
AccuWeather is predicting that 2025 Atlantic hurricane season will be less active than 2024 — one of the most destructive on record — but at or above historical averages from 1990 to 2020.—
Bill Kearney,
Sun Sentinel,
26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Forbes Daily: Join over 1 million Forbes Daily subscribers and get our best stories, exclusive reporting and essential analysis of the day’s news in your inbox every weekday.—
Bruce Y. Lee,
Forbes.com,
30 Mar. 2025
-
Vogue Daily newsletter Get essential fashion, style, and tips, in your inbox.—
Nicole Kliest,
Vogue,
29 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
All are set to be executed by lethal injection except Mahdi, who has until next week to choose between lethal injection, the firing squad or the electric chair.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA TODAY,
21 Mar. 2025
-
In Oklahoma, 56-year-old Wendell Grissom was declared dead by lethal injection at the penitentiary in McAlester at 10:13 a.m.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
My previous post, Being Sad Is Expensive: How Your Money-Mindset Matters showed how emotions play a crucial role in shaping financial behavior.—
Shane Enete,
Forbes,
24 Mar. 2025
-
Ask Chris Richards, who credits a small but crucial collective upward shift at Crystal Palace in the second half of the season for reviving the club’s hopes of meaningful progress.—
Greg O'Keeffe,
The Athletic,
23 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Besides, an afternoon downpour can actually be quite refreshing when the temperatures are high, and offer a break from the humidity.—
Roger Sands,
Forbes,
23 Mar. 2025
-
The nostalgic touch was refreshing for Anitta, who has previously been the subject of docuseries.—
Edward Segarra,
USA TODAY,
21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
In contrast, longevity preparedness is dynamic and evolves as circumstances change.—
Joseph Coughlin,
Forbes,
23 Mar. 2025
-
Episode 6’s revelations put the viewer very much in Chloe (Charlotte Le Bon) and Chelsea’s (Aimee Lou Wood) POV, assessing the brothers’ overall dynamic with morbid fascination.—
Proma Khosla,
IndieWire,
23 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The popularity of this area is booming, with creatives and entrepreneurs enjoying the proximity to both nature and a lively community.—
Nicole Kliest,
Vogue,
20 Mar. 2025
-
Located in the lively South Lamar enclave, Zilker Studios also showcases its designer’s flair for space efficiency.—
Jeffrey Steele,
Forbes,
20 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Vital.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vital. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share