essential 1 of 2

adjective

i-ˈsen(t)-shəl How to pronounce essential (audio)
Definition of essentialnext
1
as in necessary
impossible to do without a well-stocked public library is essential for the well-being of a community

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in basic
of or relating to the simplest facts or theories of a subject anyone with an essential knowledge of human biology can follow the documentary

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in integral
being a part of the innermost nature of a person or thing an unquenchable belief in the essential goodness of most people

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

essential

2 of 2

noun

1
as in must
something necessary, indispensable, or unavoidable the essentials for success include a willingness to work and the right attitude

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in principles
essentials plural general or basic truths on which other truths or theories can be based this will be just an introduction to the essentials of computer programming

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word essential different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of essential are cardinal, fundamental, and vital. While all these words mean "so important as to be indispensable," 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

When could cardinal be used to replace essential?

While in some cases nearly identical to essential, cardinal suggests something on which an outcome turns or depends.

a cardinal rule in buying a home

When is fundamental a more appropriate choice than essential?

While the synonyms fundamental and essential are close in meaning, fundamental applies to something that is a foundation without which an entire system or complex whole would collapse.

fundamental principles of algebra

When would vital be a good substitute for essential?

The words vital and essential are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, vital suggests something that is necessary to a thing's continued existence or operation.

cut off from vital supplies

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 essential
Adjective
The power was useful during the tenure of Missouri’s last Democratic Governor Jay Nixon, but has been less essential during subsequent Republican administrations. — Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 6 Aug. 2026 The venom interferes with clotting and can cause widespread internal and external bleeding, making urgent medical assessment essential. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 6 Aug. 2026
Noun
Every year, back-to-school shoppers -- specifically those headed for dorm life -- turn to Ikea for affordable essentials. — Casey Delbasso, ABC News, 6 Aug. 2026 Sometimes, that can even include forgoing payments for essentials to keep up with debt payments. — Mallika Mitra, Sacbee.com, 6 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for essential
Recent Examples of Synonyms for essential
  1. necessary
  2. basic
  3. integral
  4. must
  5. elements
  6. required
  7. rudimentary
  8. inherent
Adjective
  • Tether defends the short delay as a necessary trade-off for responsible responsiveness in a large ecosystem, rejecting claims of a loophole.
    — Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Every Fathom, even the most barebones, will have the hardware and sensors necessary to turn on BlueCruise, the company’s software that enables drivers to take their hands off the wheel while on the highway.
    — Michael Ballaban, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of necessary
Adjective
  • Closure of the strait, through which a fifth of the world’s oil and natural gas once passed, has driven up the price of fuel and basic goods far beyond the region, roiling the global economy.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 5 Aug. 2026
  • That said, meeting the basic standard for forgiveness also involves satisfying several other important requirements, too.
    — Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of basic
Adjective
  • These elements are integral to Witch Hat Atelier, as author Kamome Shirahama explains her intent on crafting a purposeful world; one where a reader learns to recognize the signs of danger inside and outside of a fictional tale.
    — Kalai Chik, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Reading a book begins before a book is ever read, and of course the cover images are the most integral part of that process.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of integral
Noun
  • Comfortable shoes are also a must, as the sightseeing around Europe is second to none.
    — Condé Nast Traveler, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Maurer notes that David Austin Roses, in particular, are a must.
    — The Spruce, The Spruce, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of must
Noun
  • Pease struggled with excess power on her landings, but showed remarkable flexibility in her dance elements.
    — Caroline Price, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Other elements of the week are perhaps good for me, but slightly less enjoyable.
    — Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of elements
Adjective
  • The resolution there would be unlikely to muster the required 60 votes needed to advance.
    — Eric Tucker, Los Angeles Times, 6 Aug. 2026
  • The city later cleared the restaurant to reopen after the required corrections were made.
    — Zareen Syed, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of required
Adjective
  • And packing no GoTo computer requires at least a rudimentary knowledge of the night sky and a star atlas or planetarium software.
    — Damian Peach, Space.com, 4 Aug. 2026
  • The narrator, purged of identifiers except for her yearning, her rational faculties, and her sense of unbelonging, is counterintuitively relatable—a portrait of rudimentary, universal humanity.
    — Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of rudimentary
Adjective
  • Reviewers especially love their structured design, one of the hallmarks of a more durable, tight weave that lends the style its inherent stability.
    — Tanya Sharma, PEOPLE, 6 Aug. 2026
  • While an option like the orange-and-white stripe accentuates the sofa’s inherent whimsy, it’d be easy to achieve a more serious look with one of the solid-colored upholstery options.
    — Alyssa Marino Williams, Architectural Digest, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of inherent

Browse Nearby Words

essences
essential
essentialities
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Essential.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/essential. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on essential

Nglish: Translation of essential for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Aug. 7

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
fridge-magnet-letters
Drop a Letter Quiz August 2026 Drop a letter from a word to make a totally diffe...
See All