pressing

adjective

press·​ing ˈpre-siŋ 

1

: urgently important : critical

a pressing issue

2

: earnest, warm

pressingly

ˈpre-siŋ-lē 

adverb

Synonyms

• acute
• burning
• clamant
• compelling
• critical
• crying
• dire
• emergent
• exigent
• imperative
• imperious
• importunate
• instant
• necessitous
• urgent

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

Immigration reform and border security were ranked among the top 10 most pressing issues by respondents. —Edgar Sandoval, New York Times, 7 June 2024

But the challenges facing Ramaswamy are no less pressing. —Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 4 June 2024

But Gates envisions a world where a drone is dispatched to a call about a broken traffic light or a suspicious vehicle instead of a sheriff’s deputy, allowing actual deputies to prioritize more pressing calls for help. —Shelly Bradbury, The Denver Post, 26 May 2024

One of the more pressing items with the construction took place at the start of the year: safely maneuvering an elaborate centerpiece into the lounge. —Michael Salerno, The Arizona Republic, 13 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1591, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing pressing

• flesh-pressing

Kids Definition

pressing

adjective

press·​ing ˈpres-iŋ 

: needing one's immediate attention

a pressing issue

pressingly

-iŋ-lē 

adverb