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Synonyms

indispensable

American  
[in-di-spen-suh-buhl] / ˌɪn dɪˈspɛn sə bəl /

adjective

  1. absolutely necessary, essential, or requisite.

    an indispensable member of the staff.

    Synonyms:
    needed
  2. incapable of being disregarded or neglected.

    an indispensable obligation.


noun

  1. a person or thing that is indispensable.

indispensable British  
/ ˌɪndɪˈspɛnsəbəl /

adjective

  1. absolutely necessary; essential

  2. not to be disregarded or escaped

    an indispensable role

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. an indispensable person or thing

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Related Words

See necessary.

Other Word Forms

  • indispensability noun
  • indispensableness noun
  • indispensably adverb

Etymology

Origin of indispensable

First recorded in 1525–35; from Medieval Latin indispēnsābilis “not subject to dispensation.” See in- 3, dispensable

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Despite the dangers, Starlink has become indispensable for many Iranians communicating what is happening inside the country to the rest of the world.

From BBC

The document, released late last year, frames the island as an indispensable gear in the global economy.

From The Wall Street Journal

This combination will make them much more productive and indispensable, turning AI into a force multiplier for human intellect.

From MarketWatch

"We are not only indispensable, we are also a trustworthy, responsible force for good in the international community," Lai said.

From Barron's

It was therefore "indispensable" to "accelerate the radical development of the modernisation and nuclear weaponisation of the naval force", he said.

From Barron's