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
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Recent Examples of pressing
Veronica Ortega,
CBS News,
28 June 2026
Still, British politics could become a more pressing concern for the bond market with Burnham at the helm.
—
Anna Cooban,
CNN Money,
25 June 2026
Fernanda Pesce,
Los Angeles Times,
1 July 2026
Gordon and Madueke worked well in the Croatia win because England faced high-pressing opposition and wanted runners in-behind, especially with Kane’s passing range and space to play into.
—
Adam Crafton,
New York Times,
1 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for pressing
Adjective
While all help is welcome, the most pressing needs right now are for medical supplies, diapers and baby formula.
—
Veronica Ortega,
CBS News,
28 June 2026
Still, British politics could become a more pressing concern for the bond market with Burnham at the helm.
—
Anna Cooban,
CNN Money,
25 June 2026
Verb
Rescuers then wait intently for any indication of life, using sensitive microphones or telescopic cameras or simply pressing an ear against the rubble, hoping to detect a voice, a knock or the faintest movement.
—
Fernanda Pesce,
Los Angeles Times,
1 July 2026
Gordon and Madueke worked well in the Croatia win because England faced high-pressing opposition and wanted runners in-behind, especially with Kane’s passing range and space to play into.
—
Adam Crafton,
New York Times,
1 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for pressing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pressing
Adjective
-
Jett is nonverbal and has a mental health condition, police said, making the search especially urgent.
-
Last month, many of those companies gathered alongside military officials to address what was clearly an urgent problem requiring novel solutions.
Verb
-
Authorities served a search warrant at the rescue on May 1, seizing electronics, business records, financial records, firearms, and other evidence, according to the sheriff.
-
For leadership teams worldwide, this requires striking a careful balance between responding to immediate disruption and seizing arising opportunities to bolster growth.
Verb
-
The fallout continues from Phoenix Mercury player Alyssa Thomas shoving her fist into Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark's throat, and now one of the league's greatest players, Lisa Leslie, is giving her two cents.
-
Marina Mabrey — while playing for the Connecticut Sun last season — received a technical for shoving Clark to the floor in a June 17, 2025, game.
Verb
-
Of course, attempts to get more revenue out of taxpayers would carry political risks, but voters have been open to squeezing the wealthy.
-
Coach Spencer Carbery has done a masterful job of both squeezing what’s left out of the franchise’s best-ever player — Ovechkin led the Caps in both goals (32) and points (64) in 2025-26 — while simultaneously masking the deficiencies that come with age.
Verb
-
Teams from the two companies have been huddling for months to plan for the melding of the two operations as soon as Paramount receives all of its regulatory approvals.
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Paramount+ is huddling up with the Texas Tech for a docuseries on its football team that is eyed to premiere in time for the 2026 season in the fall.
Verb
-
The abdomen may significantly protrude, pushing the diaphragm upward and making breathing more difficult.
-
Basically, the silicone cup creates suction around the area in question and you’re given a massage via pulling instead of pushing.
Verb
-
Liv Morgan controversially interrupted Iyo Sky's coronation, attacking her and forcing a tap-out.
-
California previously faced tens of billions of dollars in budget deficits, forcing painful cuts such as a rollback last year on a promise to provide free healthcare to low-income immigrants without legal status.
Verb
-
Your 10th House of Career and Status receives Jupiter, urging long-range vision and public progress that grows through structure.
-
City officials are urging residents to take the heat seriously.
Cite this Entry
“Pressing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pressing. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.
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