as in crucial
of the greatest possible importance
the report was missing a pivotal piece of information
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 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
-
Democrats currently hold a voter registration edge of roughly 800,000 over Republicans, but independents make up a crucial share of the electorate.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 June 2025
-
Both were crucial mental health resources during that dark time, and both found a wider embrace online for their niche comic sensibilities.—
Charles McNulty,
Los Angeles Times,
3 June 2025
Adjective
-
But thanks to key defensive plays by Panthers like Gustav Forsling and Eetu Luostarinen, Florida kept Edmonton from evening the game until the final moment.—
Adam Lichtenstein,
Sun Sentinel,
7 June 2025
-
Murders most often took place in markets, squares, and thoroughfares—all key nodes of medieval urban life—in the evenings or on weekends.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
6 June 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
But at locations now facing critical shortages, staffing overnight shifts on a routine basis is no longer possible.—
Emily Mae Czachor,
CBS News,
31 May 2025
Adjective
-
The 22-year-old attacking midfielder is unlikely to be part of Howe’s first-team plans, so a loan or exit may be forthcoming. Likely to leave Sean Longstaff (2026); Isaac Hayden (2026) Howe resurrected Longstaff’s career and his constant running and willingness to do the ugly things were vital.—
Chris Waugh,
New York Times,
6 June 2025
-
South Carolina has typically supported Republicans in federal elections and keeping Graham's seat is vital as 33 of 100 Senate seats are being contested on November 3, 2026.—
Nick Mordowanec,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pivotal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pivotal. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share