VITAL Synonyms: 335 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

vital

adjective

ˈvī-tᵊl

Definition of vital next

as in energetic

having active strength of body or mind a man who remained vital well into his 90s

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in active

having much high-spirited energy and movement the child is vital and active again after being sick

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in essential

impossible to do without I forgot one vital ingredient, and now the biscuits taste strange

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in lethal

likely to cause or capable of causing death received a vital wound in the abdomen

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in crucial

of the greatest possible importance a matter that is vital to our national security

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Examples of vital in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Pokrovsk is a vital supply town for eastern Ukrainian forces fighting back the tides of Russian soldiers. —

Sebastian Shukla, CNN, 11 Sep. 2024 This system involves detailed documentation of each artwork, including photographs, condition reports, provenance, dimensions, and other vital information, enabling efficient collection oversight and accessibility. —

The Editors Of Artnews, ARTnews.com, 10 Sep. 2024 Apple initially focused on marketing it as a fashion accessory and iPhone companion, but the Apple Watch has since become a vital health and fitness tool through hardware upgrades and new features added to watchOS. —

Andrew Liszewski, The Verge, 9 Sep. 2024 Another possible reason for the Philadelphia venue to host the debate: Pennsylvania is a vital battleground state: Both Harris and Trump campaigns have been making frequent visits to the Keystone State. —

Phaedra Trethan, USA TODAY, 9 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for vital

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'vital.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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Style

“Vital.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vital. Accessed 18 Sep. 2024.

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Last Updated: 14 Sep 2024 - Updated example sentences

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Synonyms of vital

adjective

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