1
as in judgmental
given to making or expressing unfavorable judgments about things
adults tend to be critical of teenagers' taste in music and movies
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in urgent
needing immediate attention
this problem isn't critical, so we can go home now and tend to it in the morning
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in crucial
of the greatest possible importance
this is the critical exam that will largely determine your college career
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in essential
impossible to do without
critical information for an informed medical diagnosis
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of critical
The court’s order effectively restores that risky environment at a time when protecting our military’s secrets is more critical than ever.
—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
30 June 2026
The partnership will officially kick off with a four-session series for GFS Fellows, equipping them with critical skills in sound recording, listening, and community building.
—
Arushi Jacob,
Variety,
30 June 2026
Advanced models can be turned on critical infrastructure or used to probe nuclear command and control systems, and this is not hypothetical.
—
Mark Minevich,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2026
Both have seen combat, undergone extensive modernization, and serve as critical platforms for their respective armies.
—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
30 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for critical
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
30 June 2026
The partnership will officially kick off with a four-session series for GFS Fellows, equipping them with critical skills in sound recording, listening, and community building.
—
Arushi Jacob,
Variety,
30 June 2026
Advanced models can be turned on critical infrastructure or used to probe nuclear command and control systems, and this is not hypothetical.
—
Mark Minevich,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2026
Both have seen combat, undergone extensive modernization, and serve as critical platforms for their respective armies.
—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
30 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for critical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for critical
Adjective
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The 5-star analyst highlighted that Pinterest has delivered double-digit global user growth for ten consecutive quarters, with his May data analysis indicating particular momentum in the second quarter of 2026.
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And Freddie becomes a bag man for the civil rights movement, and the Rumford Act in particular.
Adjective
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Jett is nonverbal and has a mental health condition, police said, making the search especially urgent.
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Last month, many of those companies gathered alongside military officials to address what was clearly an urgent problem requiring novel solutions.
Adjective
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The winner of tonight's crucial Australia-Paraguay match will move on to the round of 32.
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Meanwhile, the country’s crucial oil industry needs billions of dollars of investment to get anywhere close to the halcyon days of the late 1990s when production was at its height.
Adjective
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Constant vigilance and education around water safety is essential.
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Caftans are the underrated summer essential that bring breezy, effortless glamour to beach days, brunches, and evening plans alike.
Adjective
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In a demanding, real-world performance setting — a capstone exercise, a live performance, a high-stakes simulation — the goal is not to eliminate all mistakes, but to stay in control and navigate the zone of being uncomfortable.
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New York crowds are passionate, honest, and demanding.
Adjective
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The Irkutsk region, home to a Rosneft oil refinery, has experienced acute shortages for several days, with lines growing, Kharitonenko said.
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Extensive evidence suggests that treating acute psychiatric conditions in an ED setting yields poor clinical outcomes.
Adjective
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Rankings were also further broken down based on each key scoring components.
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However, following a series of Miami Herald articles detailing flaws in the investigation, including police not following up with key eyewitnesses, the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office reexamined the case and charged Pino with felony vessel homicide in October 2024.
Adjective
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Ashton's journey from moving bins to cleaning them demonstrates that a complete roadmap isn't necessary; curiosity and taking the next step are crucial.
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This week, investors are looking at the huge sums being spent and questioning whether AI can produce the profits and productivity necessary to make all the investment worth it.
Cite this Entry
“Critical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/critical. Accessed 4 Jul. 2026.
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