pressing

adjective

press·​ing ˈpre-siŋ 

1

: urgently important : critical

a pressing issue

2

: earnest, warm

pressingly

ˈpre-siŋ-lē 

adverb

Synonyms of pressing

• urgent
• acute

Examples of pressing in a Sentence

a pressing need for reform

she had pressing business on the other side of town

Recent Examples on the Web

Still, British politics could become a more pressing concern for the bond market with Burnham at the helm. — Anna Cooban, CNN Money, 25 June 2026

While all help is welcome, the most pressing needs right now are for medical supplies, diapers and baby formula. — Veronica Ortega, CBS News, 28 June 2026

The most pressing problem right now is the absence of Judge, whose timeline to return from a right rib stress fracture remains uncertain. — Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 29 June 2026

However, more pressing is the message that ESPN just sent to its employees. — Bobby Burack Outkick, FOXNews.com, 23 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1591, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing pressing

• flesh-pressing

Rhymes for pressing

• blessing
• dressing
• guessing
• messing
• stressing
• accessing
• addressing
• assessing
• caressing
• compressing
• confessing
• depressing

Kids Definition

pressing

adjective

press·​ing ˈpres-iŋ 

: needing one's immediate attention

a pressing issue

pressingly

-iŋ-lē 

adverb