Synonyms for Important: 25 Precise Alternatives
Important is broad. A stronger synonym should identify whether something is necessary, decisive, influential, or simply worth noticing.
Clear Explanation
• Use essential for something required.
• Use crucial for a decisive point or condition.
• Use significant for a meaningful or measurable effect.
• Use influential for a person or factor that shapes decisions.
• Use notable for something worthy of attention without automatically calling it vital.
Examples
Accurate data is essential for the report.
Timing was crucial to the rescue plan.
The update produced a significant improvement.
Quick Comparison
significant
essential
Common Mistake
Do not replace every instance of important with critical; critical usually raises the stakes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a formal synonym for important?
Significant, essential, and influential fit different formal contexts.
Which synonym means absolutely necessary?
Essential is the clearest common choice.