as in crucial
of the greatest possible importance
the report was missing a pivotal piece of information
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pivotal
The battle to safeguard women's sports has reached a pivotal moment.
—
Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Mar. 2025
The political focus signals a big change for Musk, who has been known to be intimately involved at his companies, even sleeping at Tesla factories or X’s offices during pivotal moments.
—Hadas Gold, CNN Money, 28 Mar. 2025
Gherardi was a pivotal figure in the eyewear industry.
—Ryma Chikhoune, WWD, 20 Mar. 2025
The task demanding such heroic efforts was to select the American wines that would compete in the reenactment of one of modern history’s most pivotal wine competitions.
—David Rosoff, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pivotal
Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Mar. 2025
The political focus signals a big change for Musk, who has been known to be intimately involved at his companies, even sleeping at Tesla factories or X’s offices during pivotal moments.
—Hadas Gold, CNN Money, 28 Mar. 2025
Gherardi was a pivotal figure in the eyewear industry.
—Ryma Chikhoune, WWD, 20 Mar. 2025
The task demanding such heroic efforts was to select the American wines that would compete in the reenactment of one of modern history’s most pivotal wine competitions.
—David Rosoff, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pivotal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pivotal
Adjective
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My previous post, Being Sad Is Expensive: How Your Money-Mindset Matters showed how emotions play a crucial role in shaping financial behavior.—
Shane Enete,
Forbes,
24 Mar. 2025
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Ask Chris Richards, who credits a small but crucial collective upward shift at Crystal Palace in the second half of the season for reviving the club’s hopes of meaningful progress.—
Greg O'Keeffe,
The Athletic,
23 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Separate deals between Russia and Ukraine brokered by the U.S. are expected to fully reopen a key trade route but could also play into the hands of Russia whose navy has been chased out of Crimea thanks to Kyiv's effective drone and missile strikes.—
Paul Du Quenoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Mar. 2025
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Casting is another key ingredient for the Core Four’s success formula, and it is typically handled by casting expert Orla Maxwell.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Florida Republicans alongside President Donald Trump were handed another critical election win on Tuesday as Jimmy Patronis won the House race for Florida's 1st Congressional District.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 Apr. 2025
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At the Smithsonian American Art Museum, there are still works critical of American history—including a wonderful Kay WalkingStick painting that overlays the Rio Grande with patterns derived from Pueblo pots, asserting an Indigenous presence in a land sometimes denied to Native people.—
Alex Greenberger,
ARTnews.com,
1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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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
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Coming in a full range of sizes from 5 to 12 (including half sizes), these cushy hiking shoes boast reliable lugs at the outsoles for vital grip on a wide range of terrain, from slick rocks to wet leaves.—
Merrell Readman,
Travel + Leisure,
22 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pivotal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pivotal. Accessed 4 Apr. 2025.
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