How to Use instrumental in a Sentence

instrumental

adjective
  • They played instrumental music at the wedding.
  • Logic would have said maybe this is an instrumental.
    — Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 9 June 2026
  • That answer will be instrumental in picking out the best pair for you.
    — Alyssa Brascia, Peoplemag, 23 Sep. 2022
  • Your answer will be instrumental in picking out the best pair for you.
    — Alyssa Brascia, Peoplemag, 23 Sep. 2022
  • Your answer will be instrumental in picking out the best pair for you.
    — Alyssa Brascia, People.com, 27 Nov. 2024
  • Those are the two people who were instrumental in my first solo light.
    — Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 12 May 2022
  • Both are part of their son’s coaching team and have been instrumental in his success to date.
    — George Ramsay, CNN, 6 Aug. 2024
  • The root of the coleus, a plant not widely used in perfume, proved instrumental.
    — Kara Jillian Brown, InStyle, 3 June 2026
  • Richard would go on to be an instrumental part of his mother's business.
    — Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 13 May 2026
  • The events in that state are instrumental in why the agency is now in its third week without funding.
    — Brittney Melton, NPR, 6 Mar. 2026
  • Her friends were instrumental to her survival.
    — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 31 Mar. 2026
  • For women, a new low-rise wide-leg jean has been instrumental in gaining new business.
    — Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 23 Feb. 2026
  • Playing instrumental music right now is so good for the soul in these wacky times just to escape to the melodies.
    — Lily Moayeri, SPIN, 30 Jan. 2025
  • Growing up, family ties proved to be an instrumental part of her life.
    — Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Feb. 2026
  • The next couple of days could be instrumental in building a new framework.
    — Magi Helena, Dallas Morning News, 27 Feb. 2026
  • Heather and Keleigh have been instrumental in leading the agency to new heights.
    — Chris Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Mar. 2022
  • The brothers were instrumental for the state title football team, and now hope to bring home state wrestling medals.
    — Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Jan. 2026
  • Spring training is an instrumental part of the season for most players.
    — Jesús Cano, New York Times, 8 June 2026
  • Williams helmed writing across the record and shaped the sound of each song with her own instrumental arrangements.
    — Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 28 Aug. 2025
  • Moore was instrumental in getting Wuornos to confess to her crimes.
    — Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Oct. 2025
  • The instrumental arrangements got the same level of care as the vocals and lyrics on this project.
    — Kyle Denis, Billboard, 22 Aug. 2025
  • Those are the dreams come true, and that song really was instrumental in that happening for us.
    — Liza Lentini, SPIN, 17 Mar. 2023
  • At just over two minutes, the mostly instrumental platform would barely be a blip for most bands.
    — Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 18 June 2026
  • Urban dropped to his knees as the band extended an instrumental version of the bridge.
    — Bryan West, Nashville Tennessean, 18 Oct. 2025
  • Lawson will be instrumental in stopping that plan.
    — Dane Brugler, New York Times, 1 Jan. 2026
  • The new iteration gets some changes that have been instrumental in achieving this feat.
    — New Atlas, 21 Apr. 2026
  • Their feedback was instrumental in the balancing of the game.
    — Yec, Forbes, 15 Apr. 2022
  • In fact, those early free throws proved instrumental in keeping the Jayhawks in the game.
    — Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 24 Feb. 2026
  • The clip is set to an instrumental song from the Jurassic Park soundtrack.
    — Raven Brunner, Peoplemag, 28 July 2024
  • The queen was instrumental in the monarchy’s reinvention; the world has changed and the monarch has adapted.
    — Raven Smith, Vogue, 14 Sep. 2022

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'instrumental.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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