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 Released at Watches and Wonders in April, the latest iteration retains the original’s 39 mm steel case, but has a few important technical and aesthetic upgrades. — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 4 July 2026 One interesting trend is that this tournament will feature some very good tight ends, a position that has become increasingly important in college football and the NFL but not so much in high school football in the era of spread offenses. — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026 As technology becomes more sophisticated and the number of living survivors continues to decline, preserving authentic testimony becomes even more important. — Eva Weiss, Sun Sentinel, 5 July 2026 Conwell’s outside shooting will be important to this season’s Heat team, with floor spacing needed around Miami’s new-look roster built around the frontcourt duo of Bam Adebayo and Giannis Antetokounmpo. — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 4 July 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
  • Maybe Bill Plaschke would be aware of that, and give due credit, if his hometown major newspaper bothered to have a dedicated correspondent covering one of the city’s NBA teams.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026
  • Some of these storms could be severe and deliver damaging wind gusts, but any thunderstorm will contain lightning — a major danger for any outdoor activities, especially for anyone trying to escape the heat in or on the water.
    — Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 4 July 2026
Definition of major
Adjective
  • The world's most influential creative institutions are beginning to recognize and showcase AI creators not as fringe, but as legitimate members of the creative community.
    — Doug Melville, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
  • The Kentucky Republican is regarded as one of the most influential and consequential American politicians in modern history.
    — Drew Pittock, USA Today, 1 July 2026
Definition of influential
Adjective
  • West Germany, arrogant attitude adjusted, pounded Chile, 4-1.
    — David j. Neal, Miami Herald, 24 June 2026
  • Lasso, in his initial introduction to audiences, wasn’t the warm, pun-loving, inspirational coach audiences would eventually embrace through Apple +, but a slightly arrogant buffoon parodying the average American sports fan.
    — Charles Moss, New York Times, 24 June 2026
Definition of arrogant
Adjective
  • Swift will either ignore the noise as usual, or smile at the absurdity as a secure, proud childless cat lady.
    — Bryan West, USA Today, 4 July 2026
  • Looking back, Fox is proud to be part of such a perennial classic.
    — Jonathon Dornbush, Entertainment Weekly, 3 July 2026
Definition of proud
Adjective
  • That’s reigniting age-old feuds about production quotas that already led the United Arab Emirates, one of OPEC’s most significant members, to leave the group in April.
    — David Goldman, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
  • It is recommended that any batteries in devices that will be stored for significant periods should undergo a maintenance routine to maintain their health by charging them to half capacity every six months.
    — Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 6 July 2026
Definition of significant
Adjective
  • Seconds later, a powerful explosion blasted through the doorway, shattering windows and sending vertical blinds and debris flying as firefighters quickly retreated from the building.
    — Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026
  • The brothers bonded over the game, but in his work, Grant so frequently provided a microphone for the voices a powerful organization would rather hush.
    — Sam McDowell July 1, Kansas City Star, 1 July 2026
Definition of powerful
Adjective
  • The notable summer development, to this point, has been the Dolphins’ lack of interest in adding superior outside options at safety, edge and cornerback.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 1 July 2026
  • This chip enables advanced on-device AI for superior active noise cancellation, focusing on isolating human speech and handling dynamic sounds.
    — Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 1 July 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 7 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of important for Spanish Speakers

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