urgent

adjective

ur·​gent ˈər-jənt How to pronounce urgent (audio)
1
a
: calling for immediate attention : pressing
urgent appeals
an urgent need
b
: conveying a sense of urgency
2
: urging insistently : importunate
urgently adverb

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
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.
The pressure to keep costs under control became more urgent during the pandemic when Macy’s was fighting to stave off bankruptcy. Phil Wahba, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2025 Filmed with non-pros in a rural community in Chiapas, the pic captures the urgent, ongoing struggle faced by conservationists throughout Latin America. Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 18 Oct. 2025 Florida Republican lawmakers introduced eight new bills on Thursday that aim at cutting property taxes in the state, responding to Governor Ron DeSantis’s call for urgent action to ease the growing financial burden on homeowners. Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025 Stanley's urgent delivery of the road that leads to a head-on collision with a truck may be his greatest vocal ever. Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 17 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for urgent

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of urgent was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Urgent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/urgent. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

urgent

adjective
ur·​gent ˈər-jənt How to pronounce urgent (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on urgent

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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