1
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
2
as in active
having much high-spirited energy and movement
the child is vital and active again after being sick
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in essential
impossible to do without
I forgot one vital ingredient, and now the biscuits taste strange
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in lethal
likely to cause or capable of causing death
received a vital wound in the abdomen
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in crucial
of the greatest possible importance
a matter that is vital to our national security
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
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
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 vital
Having the space to carry water, snacks and all your belongings is vital on these hikes.
—
Christopher Murray, FOXNews.com, 4 Apr. 2025
Its most vital services have been surveys that Westat, a private research company, performs for AHRQ on contract, said Parente, who was chief economist for health policy in the first Trump administration.
—Arthur Allen, CNN Money, 4 Apr. 2025
Although leadership plays a vital role in shaping organizational culture and what happens at the top trickles down to the rest of the organization, small groups of employees can also spark meaningful shifts.
—Janice Gassam Asare, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025
The executive order Trump signed Thursday to do away with the department did not offer a timeline, but his administration appears poised to carve away all but the department's most vital operations.
—arkansasonline.com, 22 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for vital
Christopher Murray, FOXNews.com, 4 Apr. 2025
Its most vital services have been surveys that Westat, a private research company, performs for AHRQ on contract, said Parente, who was chief economist for health policy in the first Trump administration.
—Arthur Allen, CNN Money, 4 Apr. 2025
Although leadership plays a vital role in shaping organizational culture and what happens at the top trickles down to the rest of the organization, small groups of employees can also spark meaningful shifts.
—Janice Gassam Asare, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025
The executive order Trump signed Thursday to do away with the department did not offer a timeline, but his administration appears poised to carve away all but the department's most vital operations.
—arkansasonline.com, 22 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for vital
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vital
Adjective
-
Claudine’s vibe is welcoming and the lunch crowd is energetic.—
Ryan Fonseca,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Mar. 2025
-
He's been a warrior, always bouncing back to his energetic self.—
Faisal Kutty,
Newsweek,
12 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
These teams also check for individuals with active warrants.—
Laura Bauer,
Kansas City Star,
8 Apr. 2025
-
More than just Young’s partner, Hannah has also taken an active in role in his work, working on his stage backdrops and album covers and documenting his music.—
David Browne,
Rolling Stone,
7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Since 2014, the ACL Hall of Fame has honored artists who have played an essential role in the series’ half-century as a premier supporter of top-shelf music.—
Jessica Nicholson,
Billboard,
10 Apr. 2025
-
Forbes Daily: Join over 1 million Forbes Daily subscribers and get our best stories, exclusive reporting and essential analysis of the day’s news in your inbox every weekday.—
Larry Fleisher,
Forbes.com,
10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
But South Carolina lawmakers saw it as the quickest and most humane way to kill an inmate, especially with the uncertainty in obtaining lethal injection drugs.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
12 Apr. 2025
-
Given the choice of lethal injection, electrocution and firing squad, Weiss said Mahdi chose the lesser of three evils.—
Landon Mion,
FOXNews.com,
11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
With a constant wave of new competition flooding shelves—and social media—understanding your consumers' needs and habits has never been more crucial.—
Alexandra York,
Forbes.com,
15 Apr. 2025
-
When the battles are this close, being in the right place at the right time is crucial.—
Madeline Coleman,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The entire experience felt like a refreshing escape from the modern designs and aesthetics most grocery chains have adopted.—
Katelyn Squiers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
16 Apr. 2025
-
Tossing cucumber slices with other vegetables for a refreshing summer salad?—
Caroline Tien,
SELF,
16 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Static metrics in a dynamic world are like old maps for new continents.—
Vibhas Ratanjee,
Forbes.com,
17 Apr. 2025
-
His mother, her mental health, brothers, that family dynamic.—
H. Alan Scott,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Panelists had been carefully chosen and the moderators ensured lively debates took place.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
10 Apr. 2025
-
To introduce persimmon in a balanced way, Bassford recommends incorporating the color into decorative touches like wallpaper, upholstery, or bedding for a lively yet harmonious effect.—
Kristina McGuirk,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Vital.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vital. Accessed 20 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share