The Opposite(Antonym) of “superfluous”
The antonym of superfluous are necessary, essential, and crucial. The antonyms necessary, essential, and crucial convey the idea of something that is needed or required. It implies that without it, something else cannot function properly.
Definitions and Examples of necessary, essential, crucial
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
Required to achieve a certain result or effect; essential.
Example
Water is necessary for human survival.
Absolutely necessary; extremely important.
Example
Good communication skills are essential in the workplace.
Decisive or critical, especially in the success or failure of something.
Example
The next few weeks will be crucial in determining the outcome of the project.
Key Differences: necessary vs essential vs crucial
- 1Necessary implies that something is required to achieve a certain result or effect.
- 2Essential conveys the idea of something that is absolutely necessary and extremely important.
- 3Crucial refers to something that is decisive or critical, especially in the success or failure of something.
Effective Usage of necessary, essential, crucial
- 1Academic Writing: Use these antonyms to express the importance of certain concepts or ideas.
- 2Professional Communication: Incorporate these antonyms in emails or presentations to emphasize the significance of certain tasks or projects.
- 3Everyday Conversation: Use these antonyms to describe the importance of everyday items or activities.
Remember this!
The antonyms have distinct nuances: Necessary implies requirement, essential denotes absolute importance, and crucial refers to something decisive or critical. Use these words in academic writing, professional communication, and everyday conversation to emphasize the importance of certain concepts, tasks, or activities.