urgent

adjective

ur·​gent ˈər-jənt 

1

a

: calling for immediate attention : pressing

urgent appeals

an urgent need

b

: conveying a sense of urgency

2

: urging insistently : importunate

urgently adverb

Synonyms

• acute
• burning
• clamant
• compelling
• critical
• crying
• dire
• emergent
• exigent
• imperative
• imperious
• importunate
• instant
• necessitous
• pressing

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

Charities and human rights organizations have subsequently reiterated urgent demands to tackle femicide in the UK. —Catherine Nicholls, CNN, 11 July 2024

To complicate the debate, GOB, a local environmentalist group, predicts that unless urgent steps are taken to curb tourist numbers, residents will continue to protest over the more pressing issue of mass tourism. —Jessica Benavides Canepa, Robb Report, 11 July 2024

Beyond the contrivances and unwieldy pieces in Riegel’s screenplay, a sensibility that’s coherent and urgent builds. —Sheri Linden, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 July 2024

Joey King’s top brought one urgent question to mind: What happened to cleavage? —Kleigh Balugo, StyleCaster, 11 July 2024

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

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