urgent

adjective

ur·​gent ˈər-jənt 

1

a

: calling for immediate attention : pressing

urgent appeals

problems of an urgent nature

an urgent need

b

: conveying a sense of urgency

an urgent voice

2

: urging insistently : importunate

an urgent lover

urgently adverb

Synonyms of urgent

• acute
• pressing
• dire
• intense
• compelling
• emergent
• desperate
• critical

Examples of urgent in a Sentence

We've come to deliver an urgent message.

an urgent appeal for assistance

He addressed us in an urgent manner.

An urgent voice came over the intercom, telling us to leave the building immediately.

Recent Examples on the Web

Cities and towns across China in recent years have been pushing for more local events or niche industries to stimulate spending and draw tourists – an increasingly urgent effort as many local government budgets are tied up with debt repayment. — Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 21 July 2026

That morning, there had been a terrible accident in southern Mexico involving migrants being smuggled north, one that required the urgent attention of Mexico, Guatemala, and the United States. — Ken Salazar, Time, 20 July 2026

Short-sightedness becomes a leadership risk when decisions are made only from what feels urgent or desirable in the moment. — Susan Curtin, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026

Be suspicious of urgent calls, fake app pages and anyone who tells you to install an APK from a link. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 20 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin urgent-, urgens, present participle of urgēre

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing urgent

• urgent care

Rhymes for urgent

• convergent
• detergent
• divergent
• emergent
• insurgent
• resurgent

Kids Definition

urgent

adjective

ur·​gent ˈər-jənt 

1

a

: calling for immediate attention : pressing

an urgent need for food

b

: indicating an urgent desire or need

an urgent manner

2

: urging very earnestly

urgently adverb