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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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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as in lethal

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

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as in crucial

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

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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

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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

Examples 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 Supervising sound editor Don Sylvester says in that scene and throughout the film, the crowds and other external forces were vital. —

Carolyn Giardina, Variety, 10 Jan. 2025 In the final stages of games, Nuno regularly brings on Morato and switches to a back three, to help preserve victory — something that is vital for a side that has taken the lead in 16 of their 20 league games. —

Paul Taylor, The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025 His middle-of-the-field presence is vital for Daniels. —

Ben Standig, The Athletic, 31 Dec. 2024 Motorsports have played a vital part in KTM's branding and marketing, and how the company reinvents itself away from the track will significantly influence its trajectory moving forward. —

George Monastiriakos, Newsweek, 31 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for vital

Recent Examples of Synonyms for vital

Adjective

The tone of the film also matched Aubrey so much as an artist, and her energetic match was so perfect to me.

Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Jan. 2025
The model of leaning on external policing, rather than paid fact-checking, takes a page from the policies adopted by X under the control of Elon Musk, who bought the platform formerly known as Twitter in 2022 and has since emerged as one of Trump’s most energetic — and influential — supporters.

Mike Lillis, The Hill, 9 Jan. 2025