urgent

play

adjective ur·gent \ ˈər-jənt \

Definition of urgent

1 a :calling for immediate attention :pressing

urgent appeals

an urgent need

b :conveying a sense of urgency

2 :urging insistently :importunate

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urgently

adverb

See urgent defined for English-language learners

See urgent defined for kids

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 of urgent from the Web

This redistricting is urgent and needed because of overcapacity issue in some schools.

— Howard County Times, "Managing growth to ease public school crowding [Letter]," 17 Aug. 2017
But when the queue repeats, people let in intruders who claim an urgent need or who require minimal service time.

— jude stewart, The Atlantic, "How to Cut in Line," 8 Aug. 2017
Any plan that is ultimately considered would have to be phased-in over a number of years, with priority given to whatever are viewed as the most urgent needs, La Margo said.

— mike nolan, Daily Southtown, "Orland Park eyes park upgrades," 8 Aug. 2017
Gildart called for help, setting in motion an urgent medical mission.

— karin brulliard, idahostatesman, "50 years ago, fatal grizzly attacks in Montana changed human-wildlife interactions," 3 Aug. 2017
The urgent message: Trump had just tweeted about Qatar.

— Washington Post, "Trump’s tweets blindsiding advisers searching for clarity," 2 Aug. 2017
These three components sustain me through the desolate stretches, when my appetite pangs seem urgent and important.

— maggie lange, Bon Appetit, "The Only 3 Snacks You Need For Your Long-Haul Summer Roadtrip," 10 July 2017
This weekend’s meeting makes clear that that his approach to Russia is in urgent need of more principle and more realism, both.

— the editors, National Review, "It’s Time to Get Real about Russia," 10 July 2017
Understanding the mind inside the machine is likely to become more urgent as AI’s role in science expands.

— tim appenzeller, Science | AAAS, "The AI revolution in science," 7 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'urgent.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.