urgent

adjective

ˈər-jənt How to pronounce urgent (audio)
Definition of urgentnext
as in acute
needing immediate attention I will need to put off everything but the most urgent issues

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 urgent During the hearing, ABC’s attorney, Beth Wilkinson, told the judge that urgent action is needed because the regulatory threats have chilled the network’s speech. — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 6 Oct. 2026 Spain’s government on Tuesday approved urgent measures on the country's housing crisis, after an outbreak of violence the night before in the coastal city of Barcelona saw tens of thousands taking to the streets. — ABC News, 6 Oct. 2026 These manufacturing innovations let the company produce mission-capable aircraft much faster to meet urgent defence needs. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 5 Oct. 2026 In Illinois, where relatively few undisturbed forests remain, residents and environmentalists say saving these spaces is urgent. — Christiana Freitag, Chicago Tribune, 4 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for urgent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for urgent
  1. acute
  2. pressing
  3. dire
  4. intense
  5. compelling
  6. emergent
  7. desperate
  8. critical
Adjective
  • In some parts of Africa, the obstacles to foreign investment are more acute.
    — Jared Cohen, Foreign Affairs, 7 Oct. 2026
  • For instance, a patient might be admitted for diverticulitis (primary diagnosis), but found on post-op labs to have acute blood-loss anemia (secondary diagnosis).
    — Leah Pierson, STAT, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of acute
Adjective
  • The composition of Congress will help determine the next president’s ability to advance legislation and address the concerns voters have identified as most pressing.
    — Katie Angell Britannica Editors Oct. 2, Encyclopedia Britannica, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Polling continues to show that housing affordability ranks among the most pressing concerns for Americans nationwide.
    — Matt Galka, Baltimore Sun, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of pressing
Adjective
  • That not only put him at odds with public opinion, but complicated the lives of fellow Republicans eager to escape a backlash that's making a dire GOP election situation even worse.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Now, new research shows just how dire the state of healthcare is in these areas, particularly because of a dearth of surgeons in places across the United States.
    — Justin Klawans, TheWeek, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of dire
Adjective
  • Through it all, Pi-o and Jeong-yo’s intense, often tender relationship serves as a throughline, bringing many viewers to question if the Netflix series qualifies as a boys’ love (aka BL) drama.
    — Kayti Burt, Time, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The Castle of Oia is also lovely—though the sunset-seeking crowds can be intense.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of intense
Adjective
  • If your rate is above 6%, using your extra money to aggressively pay down your debt is compelling.
    — Jeanne Sahadi, CNN Money, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Goldman said that the stock remains compelling, even after a 23% runup this year.
    — Michael Bloom, CNBC, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of compelling
Adjective
  • The auction house endorsed the new asset form, and the asset’s price, in turn, made the institution appear responsive to an emergent cultural power.
    — Simon Denny, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Then, findings are scored from 1 to 5 — 1 means a result is benign or normal, while 5 means something is emergent or critical.
    — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of emergent
Adjective
  • The search Later that day, with no trace of the team, Thomson and Gordon — the two security advisers in Kyiv — began a desperate search.
    — David Folkenflik, NPR, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Namely, a desperate need for pitching reinforcements and a belief that Holmes’ profile would mesh with their Gold Glove infielders.
    — Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of desperate
Adjective
  • Accessibility At 900 feet high, accessibility played a critical role in the project.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Washington has placed greater emphasis on producing critical weapons at higher rates.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of critical

Browse Nearby Words

urgency
urgent
urges
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Cite this Entry

“Urgent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/urgent. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

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