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

That debate, however, left coaches furious that the most pressing issue in the sport – its calendar – was not discussed in the one time a year the coaches gather in the same room. —The Athletic College Football Staff, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2026

The firm analyzes the most pressing issues impacting employers worldwide. —Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 14 Jan. 2026

My priority throughout this campaign will be to lay out a positive vision with real solutions to address our state's most pressing problems with a clear focus on making Michigan a growth state. —Dejanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 12 Jan. 2026

For wildlife, the ethical controversies are perhaps less pressing, although there is still potential for animals to be harmed by people who are using AI systems. —Emily Wanderer, Washington Post, 8 Jan. 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