Important Synonyms | Uses & Example Sentences

Important is an adjective that means “of great significance” or “influential.” Important can describe diverse nouns, like people, places, and things.

Some synonyms for important are:

  • Significant
  • Major
  • Meaningful
  • Big
  • Crucial
  • Momentous
  • Consequential
  • Prominent
  • Powerful
  • Esteemed
  • Eminent
  • Celebrated
  • Distinguished

Synonyms for important

Some synonyms for important are better matches than others. For example, “significant” can almost always replace important. However, “central” can mean “of great significance” or “in the middle of,” so it may not always be a direct match.

Synonyms for important meaning “of great significance”
Match Synonym Important example Synonym example
Strongest Significant The discovery of DNA was an important breakthrough in biology. The discovery of DNA was a significant breakthrough in biology.
Major The invention of the airplane was an important moment in world history. The invention of the airplane was a major moment in world history.
Meaningful An important battle occurred on this site. A meaningful battle occurred on this site.
Big The merger played an  important role in the company’s growth. The merger played a big role in the company’s growth.
Crucial The country’s premier university plays an important role in cancer research. The country’s premier university plays a crucial role in cancer research.
Momentous Climbing to the peak of Mount Everest was an important achievement in his life. Climbing to the peak of Mount Everest was a  momentous achievement in his life.
Consequential A great advisor can be an important asset when writing a dissertation. A great advisor can be a consequential asset when writing a dissertation.
Strong Historic The US Capitol is one of the most important buildings in Washington, D.C. The US Capitol is one of the most historic buildings in Washington, D.C.
Noteworthy The Sydney Opera House is one of the most important theaters in the world. The Sydney Opera House is one of the most noteworthy theaters in the world.
Pivotal The scientists analyzed all the data before announcing the important discovery. The scientists analyzed all the data before announcing the pivotal discovery.
Weak Fateful That was an important day for the city. That was a fateful day for the city.
Vital Some people think it’s important that a job fulfills you; others think you can get your fulfillment elsewhere. Some people think it’s vital that a job fulfills you; others think you can get your fulfillment elsewhere.
Central The safety of employees is important to maintaining workplace morale. The safety of employees is central to maintaining workplace morale.

When important means “influential,” a synonym like “prominent” is a good replacement in most cases. On the other hand, “foremost” is a superlative adjective. It’s technically a synonym for “most important,” so using it to replace important may require light sentence rewrites.

Synonyms for important meaning “influential”
Match Synonym Important example Synonym example
Strongest Prominent Shakespeare is an important figure in the history of English literature. Shakespeare is a prominent figure in the history of English literature.
Powerful Franklin D. Roosevelt was an important politician. Franklin D. Roosevelt was a powerful politician.
Esteemed Malala is an important advocate for women’s rights. Malala is an esteemed advocate for women’s rights.
Eminent Maya Angelou was one of the United States’ most important poets. Maya Angelou was one of the United States’ most eminent poets.
Strong Celebrated Today, Van Gogh is considered an important painter. Today, Van Gogh is considered a celebrated painter.
Distinguished Mozart is one of the most important composers in history. Mozart is one of the most distinguished composers in history.
Famous Almost everyone would say Michael Jordan is one of the most important athletes of all time. Almost everyone would say Michael Jordan is one of the most famous athletes of all time.
Foremost The United Nations is the world’s most important intergovernmental organization. The United Nations is the world’s foremost intergovernmental organization.
Weak Notable Marie Curie made important contributions to science. Marie Curie made notable contributions to science.
Big-time Banksy had an important impact on the UK art scene. Banksy had a big-time impact on the UK art scene.

Frequently asked questions about important synonyms

What’s a synonym for more important?

Synonyms for “more important” include:

  • Paramount
  • Essential
  • Crucial
  • Vital
  • Critical

You could also choose a synonym for important and add the adverb “more” in front of it to form a comparative adjective.

Or, use QuillBot’s free Paraphraser to find more synonyms to express your intended meaning.

What’s a synonym for extremely important?

Some synonyms for “extremely important” are:

  • Essential
  • Imperative
  • Indispensable
  • Life-or-death
  • All-important

You can make more synonyms for “extremely important” by choosing a synonym for important and modifying it with the adverb “extremely.”

QuillBot’s free Paraphraser can also help you find more synonyms to express your desired meaning.

What’s a synonym for most important?

Some synonyms for “most important” are:

  • Paramount
  • Foremost
  • Chief
  • Preeminent
  • Dominant
  • Leading

You can also take a synonym for important and modify it with the adverb “most” to form a superlative adjective.

Or, you can use QuillBot’s free Paraphraser to find synonyms for this phrase and others like it.

What’s a synonym for not important?

Some synonyms for “not important” are:

  • Unimportant
  • Trivial
  • Insignificant
  • Inconsequential
  • Negligible
  • Minor

You could also use the adverb “not” in front of a synonym for important.

QuillBot’s free Paraphraser can also help you find other synonyms to express your intended meaning.

What’s a synonym for it is important to note?

Synonyms for “it is important to note” include:

  • It is noteworthy to mention
  • It should be emphasized
  • It is crucial to highlight
  • It is necessary to point out
  • It is significant to observe

You could also choose a synonym for important and use it with a verb that’s a synonym for “to note.”

Or use QuillBot’s free Paraphraser to find ways to express this phrase in other words.

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Kate Santoro, BS

Kate has a BS in journalism. She has taught English as a second language in Spain to students of all ages for a decade. She also has experience in content management and marketing.