pivotally
1
6.3
- adverb
- /ˈpɪvətli/
- The scientist's breakthrough was pivotally influential in the development of new treatments.
Examples
-
This paradigmatic shift was pivotally mapped out through a gender shift in the figure of cultural alterity and excess from the over-Europeanized male dandy to the "Westoxicated" woman.
Academic text (2006) -
The underlying scientific insights of his work are, of course, the work of many others, most pivotally Charles Darwin.
Academic text (2000) -
The West may have been pivotally important, but has it been too much at center stage?
Academic text (2003) -
Her decision to study medicine was pivotally important for her future career.
-
He pivotally changed the course of the discussion by introducing a new idea.
Synonyms
443
1.0
In a way that matters a lot
412
2.8
To show that one thing matters more than others
341
3.5
By a large, noticeable amount that makes a difference
21
3.9
In a way that is very important for something to happen
16
7.4
To a very large degree
13
4.4
In a way that is very important for the result
12
6.7
Affects the main point in an important way
1
7.0
In a very important way that probably has a lasting effect
1
8.1
In a way that helps shape later ideas or events
1
7.4
In a very serious way that matters a lot
Antonyms
How Important
1
6.3
13
4.4
28
3.7
443
1.0
96
3.5
811
2.0
880
1.0
Surface Forms
Morphology
pivotally = pivotal (semi-transparent) = pivot + al + ly
While 'pivotal' is formally derived from 'pivot', its common meaning 'crucial/central' is a figurative extension, so deriving 'pivotally' = 'crucially' is not fully literal.
Etymology
Pivotally comes from the word pivot, the central point that a thing turns on, and from that image people began to use it for what is most important. So, pivotally can mean 'in a way that is crucially important or central to the outcome'.