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

The report claims Pezeshkian repeatedly has sought an urgent meeting with Khamenei but has been unable to establish contact. —Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 21 Apr. 2026

At the same time, far more urgent issues are being ignored. —Katherine “kitty” Donovan, Sun Sentinel, 21 Apr. 2026

As companies face labor shortages and shift production closer to home, the need for smarter machinery has become urgent. —Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 21 Apr. 2026

Later, as Mercury joins Mars, conversations speed up and action feels urgent. —Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 Apr. 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

• serjeant
• 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