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Synonym Chooser

How is the word vital different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of vital are cardinal, essential, and fundamental. While all these words mean "so important as to be indispensable," vital suggests something that is necessary to a thing's continued existence or operation.

cut off from vital supplies

When might cardinal be a better fit than vital?

In some situations, the words cardinal and vital are roughly equivalent. However, cardinal suggests something on which an outcome turns or depends.

a cardinal rule in buying a home

When can essential be used instead of vital?

While the synonyms essential and vital are close in meaning, 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

Where would fundamental be a reasonable alternative to vital?

While in some cases nearly identical to vital, fundamental applies to something that is a foundation without which an entire system or complex whole would collapse.

fundamental principles of algebra

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 Laney said shuttered labs in Morgantown and Pittsburgh were vital to the respiratory division’s work. Bob Ortega, CNN Money, 4 June 2025 At the same time, the world’s third-largest economy has faced a demographic crisis that by necessity has spurred technological innovation, including making strides in areas such as AI, robotics, and space—all of which are vital to defense. Chad De Guzman, Time, 4 June 2025 Kojic acid may increase your skin's sensitivity to the sun, especially when first using it, so sunscreen application is vital. Susan Bard, Verywell Health, 4 June 2025 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 See All Example Sentences for vital
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vital
Adjective
  • Host Jennifer Lopez opened the show with an energetic dance number to a medley that included a mashup of songs by Beyoncé, Eilish, Shaboozey, Chappell Roan and more.
    Alli Rosenbloom, CNN Money, 27 May 2025
  • Rod Stewart, who received the Lifetime Achievement Award, closed out the evening with an energetic performance.
    Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 26 May 2025
Adjective
  • Since the show's conclusion, Zoe has remained active in the fashion and lifestyle space, in part through her newsletter The Zoe Report, which launched in 2009.
    Madison E. Goldberg, People.com, 7 June 2025
  • Flood watches were active through the morning across parts of Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Arkansas, according to the National Weather Service.
    Christopher Cann, USA Today, 6 June 2025
Adjective
  • 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
  • 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
Adjective
  • Stephen Stanko’s attorneys told him that lethal injection would feel like drowning when a lethal dose of pentobarbital is injected into the inmate’s veins and there’s a rush of fluid into the lungs.
    Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 30 May 2025
  • However, in the days to come, zoo officials faced mounting criticism for not trying to tranquilize the 17-year-old Western lowland silverback before using lethal force.
    Jillian Frankel, People.com, 28 May 2025
Adjective
  • 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
  • Assessing a model’s performance has become crucial for businesses to trust and ultimately adopt AI, Ratner said.
    Rashi Shrivastava, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025
Adjective
  • Betty Booze is getting two refreshing additions to its lineup just in time for summer.
    Erin Clements, People.com, 4 June 2025
  • Hotel Byblos continues to grow with refreshing new changes under Chevanne’s leadership, with hopes of continuing the family legacy as an exclusive hideaway where new experiences are born and the legend of Byblos only getting better with time.
    Jim Dobson, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025
Adjective
  • Universities must take near-term actions to improve economic viability, such as adopting real-time budgeting approaches with regular reviews and dynamic resource reallocation—a present-forward approach.
    Gregory Crawford, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025
  • Raymond Saunders: Flowers From a Black Garden is a dynamic selection of the artist’s layered, mixed-media works that blend painting, drawing, and collage.
    Okla Jones, Essence, 4 June 2025
Adjective
  • In lieu of bunking in the 4,000-square-foot Lord House, built in 1962 just off of Mulholland Drive, rent it out by the hour and host a lively pool party.
    Kristine Hansen, Architectural Digest, 30 May 2025
  • Thus began a lively rivalry with Lee, who quickly learned Clemens possesses a killer serve.
    Dan Hayes, New York Times, 30 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Vital.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vital. Accessed 11 Jun. 2025.

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