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Synonyms

178 Synonyms for Important with Examples | Another Word for Important

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In this article, we will explore a variety of synonyms for the word “important” and how they can be used to enhance communication and expression. Understanding the nuances of these synonyms can help writers and speakers convey significance and relevance with precision and impact.

Important Synonyms

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Important Synonyms – Created by 7ESL

What Is Important?

The word “important” is an adjective that describes something that has great significance, value, or influence. It can be used to emphasize the essential nature of something or someone. Important things can include events, people, ideas, or objects that have a significant impact on our lives.

For examples: 

  • It is important to prioritize your health and well-being.
  • Studying for the exam is important for achieving a good grade.
  • Effective communication is important in building strong relationships.
  • It is important to be punctual for the meeting.
  • Following safety guidelines is important to prevent accidents.

List of Synonyms for Important

  • Acclaimed
  • Acute
  • All-important
  • Appreciable
  • August
  • Authoritative
  • Basic
  • Big
  • Big-league
  • Big-time
  • Boss
  • Broad
  • Capital
  • Cardinal
  • Celebrated
  • Central
  • Chief
  • Commanding
  • Compelling
  • Consequential
  • Considerable
  • Conspicuous
  • Core
  • Critical
  • Crucial
  • Dear
  • Decisive
  • Dignified
  • Distinctive
  • Distinguished
  • Dominant
  • Earnest
  • Effective
  • Effectual
  • Efficacious
  • Emergency
  • Eminent
  • Epoch-making
  • Essential
  • Esteemed
  • Estimable
  • Eventful
  • Exceptional
  • Exigent
  • Extensive
  • Extraordinary
  • Famed
  • Famous
  • Far-reaching
  • Fateful
  • First
  • First-class
  • First-rate
  • Focal
  • Forceful
  • Foremost
  • Formidable
  • Front-page
  • Full
  • Fundamental
  • Germane
  • Good
  • Grand
  • Grave
  • Great
  • Heavy
  • Heavyweight
  • Helpful
  • High
  • High-level
  • High-powered
  • High-priority
  • High-ranking
  • High-up
  • Historic
  • Honored
  • Huge
  • Illustrious
  • Imperative
  • Imposing
  • Impressive
  • Incomparable
  • Indispensable
  • Influential
  • Instrumental
  • Invaluable
  • Key
  • Large
  • Leading
  • Life-and-death
  • Life-or-death
  • Main
  • Majestic
  • Major
  • Major-league
  • Marked
  • Material
  • Meaningful
  • Memorable
  • Mighty
  • Momentous
  • Monumental
  • Necessary
  • Needed
  • Needful
  • Newsworthy
  • Noble
  • Notable
  • Noted
  • Noteworthy
  • Noticeable
  • Of import
  • Of moment
  • Of note
  • Of the essence
  • Operative
  • Outstanding
  • Paramount
  • Pertinent
  • Pivotal
  • Portentous
  • Potent
  • Powerful
  • Precious
  • Predominant
  • Preeminent
  • Pre-eminent
  • Pressing
  • Prestigious
  • Primary
  • Prime
  • Principal
  • Prominent
  • Pronounced
  • Quintessential
  • Relevant
  • Remarkable
  • Renowned
  • Required
  • Requisite
  • Respectable
  • Respected
  • Responsible
  • Ruling
  • Salient
  • Seminal
  • Senior
  • Serious
  • Severe
  • Signal
  • Significant
  • Singular
  • Sizable
  • Sizeable
  • Solemn
  • Solid
  • Special
  • Standout
  • Striking
  • Strong
  • Substantial
  • Superior
  • Supreme
  • Telling
  • Top-level
  • Unforgettable
  • Unusual
  • Urgent
  • Useful
  • Valuable
  • Valued
  • Vital
  • Weighty
  • Well-known
  • Wide
  • Worthwhile
  • Worthy

Types of Synonyms for Important

Size and Scope

  • Major
  • Substantial
  • Significant
  • Big
  • Large
  • Considerable
  • Extent
  • Range
  • Reach

Urgency

  • Critical
  • Crucial
  • Vital
  • Pressing
  • Imperative
  • Urgent

Common Synonyms for Important

Important vs. Crucial

The word “important” suggests a degree of significance, whereas “crucial” implies something that is absolutely necessary or critical. Something that is crucial is essential to the success or outcome of something. It is a critical component, and without it, the whole project or task would fail.

  • It is important to double-check your work before submitting it for review.
  • The safety briefing is crucial before embarking on the adventure.

Important vs. Essential

“Important” conveys a sense of value or significance, while “essential” indicates something that is absolutely necessary.

  • It is important to arrive on time for the meeting.
  • Water is essential for human survival.

Important vs. Vital

“Important” denotes significance, whereas “vital” emphasizes something that is absolutely necessary for the success or continuation of something, It implies that without it, something cannot function or exist.

  • It is important to review the safety procedures before operating the machinery.
  • Regular exercise is vital for maintaining good health.

Important vs Fundamental

“Important” suggests value or significance, while “fundamental” refers to something that is foundational or basic, It implies that something is foundational or at the core of something else.

  • It is important to follow the safety guidelines while conducting the experiment.
  • Having a strong foundation is fundamental to building a stable structure.

Important vs Significant

“Important” implies value or significance, while “significant” denotes something that has a noticeable or meaningful impact.

  • It is important to consider all factors before making a decision.
  • The meeting had a significant impact on the company’s future direction.

Synonyms for Important in Different Contexts

Academic and Professional Setting

Paramount

  • The safety of the passengers is paramount for the airline company.

Fundamental

  • Good communication skills are fundamental to success in any job.

Vital

  • Regular exercise is vital for maintaining good health.

Pivotal:

  • The CEO’s decision proved to be pivotal in turning the company around.

Everyday Language

Key

  • Communication is key to maintaining a healthy relationship.

Major

  • The company made a major announcement about its expansion plans.

Necessary

  • It is necessary to wear a seatbelt while driving for safety.

Relevant

  • The new evidence is relevant to the ongoing investigation.

Personal Relationship

Meaningful

  • The trip to the orphanage was a meaningful experience for the volunteers.

Significant

  • The discovery of the ancient artifact was significant for archeologists.

Life-changing

  • Winning the lottery was a life-changing event for the fortunate ticket holder.

Profound

  • The philosopher’s words had a profound impact on the audience.

Absolute and Near Synonyms for Important

When it comes to expressing the importance of something, there are a variety of words that can be used. Some of these words are absolute synonyms, meaning they have the exact same meaning as “important.” Other words are near synonyms, meaning they are similar in meaning but not identical. In this section, we will explore both absolute and near synonyms for “important.”

Absolute Synonyms for Important

Absolute SynonymMeaning
SignificantHaving great meaning or importance
CrucialExtremely important or necessary
VitalAbsolutely necessary or important
EssentialAbsolutely necessary; extremely important
CriticalOf the utmost importance; vital

Near Synonyms for Important

Near SynonymMeaning
RelevantClosely connected or appropriate
MeaningfulHaving significance
ProminentImportant, noticeable
NotableWorthy of attention
SalientMost noticeable or important
WeightyGreat importance or influence

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some synonyms for ‘significant’?

Some synonyms for ‘significant’ include important, meaningful, substantial, crucial, critical, momentous, and notable.

What other phrases can be used instead of ‘most important thing’?

Some alternative phrases to ‘most important thing’ include top priority, primary concern, essential matter, critical issue, and key focus.

What are some alternative words for ‘key’ and ‘important’?

Words that can be used instead of ‘key’ and ‘important’ include significant, critical, essential, vital, fundamental, and pivotal.

What is a synonym for ‘very very important’?

A synonym for ‘very very important’ is crucial.

What are some other ways to say ‘important’?

Other ways to say ‘important’ include significant, essential, vital, critical, key, fundamental, and necessary.

Related:

B1 Knowledge Check · 5 questions

178 Synonyms for Important with Examples | Another Word for Important — Practice Quiz

1 / 5
Q1

Question 1: What does the word "important" mean?

Question 1 options
"Important" is an adjective that describes something having great significance, value, or influence. It emphasizes the essential nature of something or someone.
Q2

Question 2: The word "important" is an adjective that can be used to describe events, people, ideas, or objects that have a significant impact on our lives.

Question 2 options
This is true. According to the article, "important" is an adjective, and important things can include events, people, ideas, or objects that have a significant impact on our lives.
Q3

Question 3: Which sentence uses the word "important" correctly?

Question 3 options
"It is important to consider all options before making a decision" correctly uses "important" as an adjective describing significance and value, matching its standard usage as shown in the article.
Q4

Question 4: Match each synonym of "important" with its specific nuance.

Question 4 options
Crucial
Essential
Vital
Fundamental
Absolutely necessary or critical for success
Necessary for something to function or exist
Foundational or basic, at the core of something
Absolutely necessary

Select an item on the left, then tap its match on the right.

"Crucial" means absolutely necessary or critical for success. "Essential" means absolutely necessary. "Vital" means necessary for something to function or exist. "Fundamental" means foundational or basic, at the core of something.
Q5

Question 5: Which word is the closest synonym for "important" when describing something that has a noticeable or meaningful impact?

Question 5 options
"Significant" is the correct answer because the article states that "significant" denotes something that has a noticeable or meaningful impact, making it the best fit for this specific nuance of "important."

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