as in urgent
needing immediate attention
she had pressing business on the other side of town
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in seizing
to take or make use of under a guise of authority but without actual right
the fleeing bank robber pressed a nearby taxi into service as a getaway car
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in shoving
to push steadily against with some force
an old doorbell that requires you to press the button hard
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in squeezing
to apply external pressure on so as to force out the juice or contents of
my family will only drink juice from freshly pressed oranges
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in huddling
to gather into a closely packed group
everyone pressed around me to see the pictures
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
5
as in forcing
to cause (a person) to give in to pressure
a manager pressed by a business crisis to return from his vacation ahead of schedule
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in urging
to try to persuade (someone) through earnest appeals to follow a course of action
pressed us to go with them to the school board meeting
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in highlighting
to indicate the importance of by centering attention on
an office e-mail that presses the need for greater vigilance concerning building security
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of pressing
Olivier Kempf, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
This will render research, innovation and societal advances as dim, undetectable versions of themselves, restricting the country’s ability to lead globally in addressing the most pressing issues of our times.
—Jane M. Saks, Chicago Tribune, 23 Mar. 2026
Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 25 Mar. 2026
This allegedly prompted Lauper to put his bodyweight on Jane Doe’s head and neck, pressing her onto the bed.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pressing
Adjective
Ukraine’s most pressing disadvantage, however, is its limited manpower.
—Olivier Kempf, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
This will render research, innovation and societal advances as dim, undetectable versions of themselves, restricting the country’s ability to lead globally in addressing the most pressing issues of our times.
—Jane M. Saks, Chicago Tribune, 23 Mar. 2026
Verb
News divisions, presumably still protected by clearer First Amendment precedents, will continue to engage with the world’s most pressing issues.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 25 Mar. 2026
This allegedly prompted Lauper to put his bodyweight on Jane Doe’s head and neck, pressing her onto the bed.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pressing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pressing
Adjective
-
Long airport security lines, an impending recess, and Monday’s confirmation of Markwayne Mullin as Homeland Security secretary are driving urgent Senate talks to reopen the department.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
23 Mar. 2026
-
The moody Moon paces into your busy 3rd house, energizing your ability to handle quick stops and urgent tasks.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
They are commonly treated with medical interventions like medications and surgeries — which, while extremely helpful for acute pain, often saving limbs and lives — are considerably less helpful for chronic pain.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Like others, Toledo said surging gas prices have piled on to other rising costs and stagnant wages, making the pain more acute.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
23 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pressing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pressing. Accessed 29 Mar. 2026.
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