important

adjective

im-ˈpȯr-tᵊnt How to pronounce important (audio)
Definition of importantnext
1
as in major
having great meaning or lasting effect the discovery of penicillin was a very important event in the history of medicine

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in influential
having great power or influence Rachel Carson was an important figure in the environmental movement

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in arrogant
having a feeling of superiority that shows itself in an overbearing attitude an important businessman who always expects special treatment wherever he goes

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in proud
having too high an opinion of oneself oh, you're so important—you think the world revolves around you

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 important Understanding when and why different species tolerate one another therefore has important implications for both conservation and public health. — Cyril Grueter, Scientific American, 8 Aug. 2026 Being a good relative to the people in my cultures is really important. — Kelly Ryan Kegans, Midwest Living, 8 Aug. 2026 Independent institutions exist because the incentives are too important – and the consequences of getting it wrong are too severe – to rely entirely on the organizations with the most at stake. — Andrew Freedman, Fortune, 8 Aug. 2026 For 15 years, dozens of American lawmakers have had the opportunity to see one of the country's most important — and increasingly debated — alliances firsthand. — Rachel Wolf, FOXNews.com, 8 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for important
Recent Examples of Synonyms for important
  1. major
  2. influential
  3. arrogant
  4. proud
  5. significant
  6. powerful
  7. superior
  8. smug
Adjective
  • The cushion cut cocktail rings give major Taylor energy, which is why they're beloved by Swifties and beyond.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Speraw highlights women's volleyball as America's largest girls' team sport, yet commercially underdeveloped, presenting a huge opportunity for growth and major sponsorship.
    — Tim Genske, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of major
Adjective
  • Yet, with Morgan Gibbs-White often Forest’s most influential player in the No 10 role, McAtee was limited to a bit-part role last season.
    — Paul Taylor, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026
  • The 78-year-old Larson was poised to be influential inside a potential Democratic majority and has led the party on efforts to expand Social Security benefits and fortify the program into the future.
    — Benjamin Siegel, ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of influential
Adjective
  • The arrogant, brooding youth is gone almost entirely, and someone far more circumspect and humbled kneels before his older brother.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
  • The Fight for the Soul of College Football, as the Hurricanes’ bold, brash and arrogant style transformed college football into something closer to theater.
    — Emile Nuh, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of arrogant
Adjective
  • Though Hallegua and Josephai rarely meet, both are intensely proud of their ancient heritage.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Spanish-speaking students and staff at Oak Lawn Community High School are proud of their heritage and will share it with the larger community during a festival that celebrates Hispanic food and culture.
    — Janice Neumann, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of proud
Adjective
  • Low-income Americans who can’t afford to buy into the housing market and who lack a significant presence in the stock market are starting on their back foot.
    — David Goldman, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Apple needs significant upload capacty include the volume of shipping required to bring the iPhones to market.
    — Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of significant
Adjective
  • The two progressive, politically powerful unions helped carry Mayor Brandon Johnson into office.
    — Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Gratitude is the most powerful and enduring sentiment of all — not because everything’s fine.
    — Robert B. Reich, Hartford Courant, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of powerful
Adjective
  • With technology enabling portable work, hybrid models improve retention and performance, challenging the notion that constant office presence is superior.
    — Benjamin Laker, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Honestly, our phones probably have superior tech at this point, but there is something special about bringing a digital camera with you to college parties and uploading the folder the next day (for better or worse).
    — Gina Vaynshteyn, StyleCaster, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of superior
Adjective
  • Historian Sandgruber describes how Alois Hitler wrote his 1895 letters in a deeply smug, anti-clerical manner that overestimated his abilities.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 June 2026
  • Li at times plays Cola with a smug impetuousness that belies her naivety about this world to a satisfying degree.
    — Sabrina Reed, Forbes.com, 17 June 2026
Definition of smug

Browse Nearby Words

importance
important
imported
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Cite this Entry

“Important.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/important. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of important for Spanish Speakers

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