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pressing

adjective

press·​ing ˈpre-siŋ How to pronounce pressing (audio)
Synonyms of pressingnext
1
: urgently important : critical
a pressing issue
2
pressingly adverb

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
None is more pressing than trading Nolan Arenado, but that’s far easier said than done. Katie Woo, New York Times, 2 Dec. 2025 The corresponding, pressing question is how the frame, and behavior, of art might be altered in turn. Tim Griffin, Artforum, 1 Dec. 2025 The volume of water isn’t the most pressing problem in Morrow County, however. Sean Patrick Cooper, Rolling Stone, 24 Nov. 2025 Like, climate change is the most pressing issue! Mackenzie Cummings-Grady, Billboard, 18 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pressing

Word History

First Known Use

1591, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of pressing was in 1591

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pressing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pressing. Accessed 5 Dec. 2025.

Kids Definition

pressing

adjective
press·​ing ˈpres-iŋ How to pronounce pressing (audio)
: needing one's immediate attention
a pressing issue
pressingly adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on pressing

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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