urgency

noun

Definition of urgencynext
as in gravity
the condition of being very important and needing immediate attention The urgency of the situation meant that we needed to start right away.

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of urgency The issue is that many leaders operate in environments where urgency consistently outranks reflection. — Allison Mais, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026 After years of Europe advocating for more digital sovereignty, there’s a newfound sense of urgency to repatriate key services long outsourced to US companies. — Bloomberg, Mercury News, 28 July 2026 Sadie Sink plays her with heartfelt urgency, but what, exactly, is the dramatic point of a villainous showdown that turns into a lovefest? — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 28 July 2026 The film has had the best platform release of the year, reinforcing the urgency for theatrical comedies. — Justin Kroll, Deadline, 28 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for urgency
Recent Examples of Synonyms for urgency
  1. gravity
  2. magnitude
  3. importance
  4. exigency
  5. significance
  6. insistence
  7. seriousness
Noun
  • The 4,541-foot concrete gravity structure supported navigation, electricity production, and industrial growth around Muscle Shoals.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 4 Aug. 2026
  • One lesson, Johnson said, is that a small float can push up demand, but eventually gravity will tug shares downward if they are deemed overvalued — even for companies with sweeping plans at the center of the conversation about AI and its future.
    — John Ruwitch, NPR, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of gravity
Noun
  • Good luck drawing a crowd of that magnitude every other week via one of the digital upstarts.
    — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 31 July 2026
  • Desperate struggles against the encroaching elements become a brief interlude before the situation unravels into a disaster of a different magnitude.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 30 July 2026
Definition of magnitude
Noun
  • Most importantly, the bureau has been elevated in importance, and other ministries are now formally required to share their information.
    — Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 31 July 2026
  • This month, a gay rights activist obtained the memo outlining the agreement from the Defense Department after filing a lawsuit, arguing that clarity was of public importance.
    — Jamie Stengle, Fortune, 31 July 2026
Definition of importance
Noun
  • Potential finalists will be notified via email and will be required to complete and return an Affidavit of Eligibility, License of Work and Release of Liability/Publicity within three (3) days of date of notification, or a shorter time if required by exigencies, or a runner-up may be selected.
    — Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 25 June 2026
  • The exigencies of the Revolution lead to promising more people representation.
    — KEN BURNS, Rolling Stone, 19 May 2026
Definition of exigency
Noun
  • The significance lies less in the sum stolen than in the nature of the failure.
    — Susie Violet Ward, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
  • Its mission takes on a special significance during July, which is Disability Pride Month.
    — Alula Alderson, Sacbee.com, 31 July 2026
Definition of significance
Noun
  • As this report explained, this is largely thanks to its uncompromising quality standards and its insistence that each of its attractions outdoes its predecessors.
    — Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
  • Dunphy said a definite ask by the city will be an insistence on a labor-harmony agreement that ensures union jobs.
    — Jason Quick, New York Times, 31 July 2026
Definition of insistence
Noun
  • At a certain point, the deadly seriousness of so many consecutive anti-miracles can’t help but turn faintly comical.
    — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 30 July 2026
  • In all seriousness, summer is a natural midpoint to step back and pressure-test the annual strategy.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026
Definition of seriousness

Browse Nearby Words

urgencies
urgency
urgent
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Urgency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/urgency. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on urgency

Nglish: Translation of urgency for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of torpor

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Aug. 7

How long is a jiffy?
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All