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

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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 Cutting greenhouse gas emissions remains important because continued ocean warming could intensify ice loss beyond the changes already set in motion. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026 This emergent growth dynamic comes with important implications. — Justin Worland, Time, 17 Oct. 2026 Our medical staff and doctors in London reviewed the results and concluded that activity and mobility were important and that Jalen could safely play. — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 15 Oct. 2026 Between Fletcher’s corn dogs, some Deep Fried Fat, Texas/OU at the Texas State Fair remains in the top five of college sporting events, and this version of a rivalry that is so important to this region lived up to its stature. — Mac Engel october 10, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Oct. 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
  • Despite the hefty reservation payments, the Roadster is unlikely to become a major revenue source for Tesla.
    — Bilin Lin, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Her Instagram long-form project Excellences & Perfections, from 2014, however, was major cringe.
    — Eugenie Brinkema, ARTnews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of major
Adjective
  • William Perkins, an influential proponent of witch fever in late sixteenth-century England, notes that any miraculous power a witch or her objects appears to have is merely borrowed from Satan.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The federal government is planning to dramatically shrink its most influential health survey, and some researchers worry that the changes will underestimate how many Americans are disabled.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of influential
Adjective
  • Wright was known to be arrogant, and his self-importance is on full display here.
    — Wendy S. Walters, Architectural Digest, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Georg, an unemployed auto mechanic, comes across as an arrogant jock.
    — Alex Ross, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of arrogant
Adjective
  • The locker real estate in the team’s second arena was something the proud parent didn’t even consider as part of his son’s Heat takeover.
    — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Musk’s forthright, crusty dad Errol sounds almost proud that something was bullied out of his son, but the movie avoids filling out that traumatic childhood.
    — Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of proud
Adjective
  • Sullivan and Peltola have already faced off this year, but Thursday's debate was widely seen as the most significant for the general electorate.
    — Matthew Choi The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026
  • That reality makes the latest Carrera T more significant than its understated badge might suggest.
    — Bradley Iger, Robb Report, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of significant
Adjective
  • At Gucci, the iconic Horsebit takes center stage across bags, belts and shoes, transforming timeless house codes into powerful statement accessories.
    — Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Simon has weakened to a Category 2 storm, its eye remaining just offshore as its most powerful winds and rain slammed communities between the Sierra Madre and the ocean and were forecast to persist off the coast of Puerto Vallarta.
    — JAIMIE DING, Arkansas Online, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of powerful
Adjective
  • Chinese chip designers like Huawei are combining clusters of chips to create the computing power of superior tech.
    — Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2026
  • With superior special teams play and Allen's relentless effort, Buffalo held on to win another offensive shootout between these teams.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of superior
Adjective
  • Here was my chance to get out of London, this counterfeit of death with its everywhere rage and its moribund culture and its smug population and its streets steeped in resentment and the sky pressing down like a chloroform rag.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Hilton vouches for their integrity, then quickly pivots into an attack on smug Democrats who take voters for granted.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 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 20 Oct. 2026.

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