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The words acute<\/em><\/a> and critical<\/em><\/a> are common synonyms of crucial<\/em>. While all three words mean \"of uncertain outcome,\" crucial<\/em> suggests a dividing of the ways and often a test or trial involving the determination of a future course or direction.<\/p>

\/\/ a crucial<\/em> vote<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Where would 'acute' be a reasonable alternative to 'crucial'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

While the synonyms acute<\/em><\/a> and crucial<\/em> are close in meaning, acute<\/em> stresses intensification of conditions leading to a culmination or breaking point.<\/p>

\/\/ an acute<\/em> housing shortage<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How are the words 'critical' and 'acute' related as synonyms of 'crucial'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

Critical<\/em><\/a> adds to acute<\/em><\/a> implications of imminent change, of attendant suspense, and of decisiveness in the outcome.<\/p>

\/\/ the war has entered a critical<\/em> phase<\/p>" } } ] }

crucial

adjective

ˈkrü-shÉ™l How to pronounce crucial (audio)
Definition of crucialnext
as in key
of the greatest possible importance water is crucial to our survival

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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How does the adjective crucial contrast with its synonyms?

The words acute and critical are common synonyms of crucial. While all three words mean "of uncertain outcome," crucial suggests a dividing of the ways and often a test or trial involving the determination of a future course or direction.

a crucial vote

Where would acute be a reasonable alternative to crucial?

While the synonyms acute and crucial are close in meaning, acute stresses intensification of conditions leading to a culmination or breaking point.

an acute housing shortage

How are the words critical and acute related as synonyms of crucial?

Critical adds to acute implications of imminent change, of attendant suspense, and of decisiveness in the outcome.

the war has entered a critical phase

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 crucial This section of lower jaw is crucial for an animal to eat, but only after its two halves fuse during gestation. —Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 9 Apr. 2026 Compared with standard events, Signature Events also award more FedExCup points, which are crucial in determining a player’s eligibility for the FedExCup Playoffs, the Tour Championship, and the bonus money that comes with those. —Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Apr. 2026 The first 48 hours of the ceasefire will be crucial to shipowners' willingness to enter the strait, Windward added. —Anniek Bao,joseph Wilkins, CNBC, 9 Apr. 2026 The day before Goodall went to the hospital for her full-day evaluation, Crockett went into kidney failure, making a prompt transplant even more crucial. —Megan Vaz, Sun Sentinel, 9 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for crucial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crucial
  1. key
  2. critical
  3. vital
Adjective
  • The All-Big 12 defense guard has been a key cog the last two seasons for the Horned Frogs as one of the best defenders in the country.
    — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Apr. 2026
  • The gas tax is a key source of funding for road construction and maintenance across North Carolina, and lawmakers said eliminating it even temporarily could slow projects or worsen existing infrastructure needs.
    — Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 7 Apr. 2026
Definition of key
Adjective
  • On Thursday, a group of bipartisan lawmakers introduced the Multilateral Alignment of Technology Controls on Hardware (MATCH) Act, designed to cut China off from chipmaking tools and target the country’s most critical semiconductor firms.
    — Arjun Kharpal, CNBC, 7 Apr. 2026
  • Businesses along the Watt Avenue corridor say opening the shelter is critical to reducing neighborhood crime and blight.
    — James Taylor, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026
Definition of critical
Adjective
  • The heat shield, a vital piece of equipment located beneath the capsule, protects the crew from extreme temperatures during reentry.
    — Brittney Melton, NPR, 10 Apr. 2026
  • Many city officials defend it as a vital tool for delivering dollars to fund public services.
    — Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 10 Apr. 2026
Definition of vital

Browse Nearby Words

crows
crucial
crucible
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Cite this Entry

“Crucial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crucial. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of crucial for Spanish Speakers

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