URGENT Synonyms: 46 Similar and Opposite Words

urgent

adjective

ˈər-jənt

Definition of urgent

as in acute

needing immediate attention I will need to put off everything but the most urgent issues

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 urgent The urgent search continues amid concerns of dangerous temperatures. — Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 15 July 2026 Anyone who notices flashes, new floaters or a shadow in their vision should seek urgent eye care. — Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 14 July 2026 For example, Nolan imagined an alarm system for Troy with its citizens banging sheets of metal that would get louder as the Greek threat became more urgent. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 14 July 2026 In recent years, Michigan has typically reported around 50 cases of cyclosporiasis, which causes urgent bouts of watery diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and nausea. — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 14 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for urgent

Recent Examples of Synonyms for urgent

Adjective

Monumental’s entry is targeted at Texas, Florida, Virginia, and Arizona, where building activity and labor shortages are most acute.

— Lily Mae Lazarus, Fortune, 15 July 2026
According to the report, Garrett’s cause of death is listed as acute fentanyl toxicity, with the manner of death ruled an accident.

— Denise Petski, Deadline, 13 July 2026

Definition of acute

Adjective

For England, the most pressing question was how to neutralize Messi, the tournament’s all-time leading scorer with 21 goals over six World Cups.

— Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 16 July 2026
While urgent care clinics are meant for patients who need immediate medical attention, a significant number of young adults choose to use their services for issues that are less pressing.

— Amen Galinato, CNN Money, 14 July 2026

Definition of pressing

Adjective

From last summer until its recent closure, stories about the dire conditions in which immigrants were living spread through phone calls, legal briefs and press conferences by members of Congress following unscheduled visits.

— Churchill Ndonwie, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 July 2026
Human Rights Watch recently published a report documenting the dire conditions faced by Cubans in Mexico.

— Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 13 July 2026

Definition of dire

Adjective

Research shows warming temperatures from burning coal, oil and gas are making fires more frequent and intense.

— ABC News, ABC News, 15 July 2026
After an intense tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico, in which matches have been played in extreme heat and sometimes at altitude, freshness come Sunday could certainly be crucial.

— Michael Cox, New York Times, 14 July 2026

Definition of intense

Adjective

True, nothing so grand as a massive dragon and naval battle took place, but seeing Rhaenyra start to change into someone almost unrecognizable from her younger, more innocent self was compelling in a deeper way.

— Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 6 July 2026
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

— Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 5 July 2026

Definition of compelling

Adjective

The first, and most obvious, is the growing sense of an emergent player empowerment era, one in which the line between restricted and unrestricted free agency continues to blur.

— Thomas Drance, New York Times, 24 June 2026
Those positions included diagnostic evaluation specialists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, ARD managers, special program directors, elementary literacy directors, special education analysts and emergent bilingual teachers.

— Samuel O’Neal Updated June 23, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 June 2026

Definition of emergent

Adjective

El Sayed’s campaign characterized Peters’s endorsement as a sign that Stevens’s campaign is desperate.

— David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 13 July 2026
Croatia’s World Cup was seconds away from being over and Portugal was seconds away from the round of 16 when Ivan Perisic sent a long, desperate cross into the penalty area.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2026

Definition of desperate

Adjective

Tensions are flaring over the critical Strait of Hormuz, pushing the two sides back towards all-out war.

— Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 15 July 2026
The most critical one came in the 21st minute with France’s Lucas Digne committed a foul on Yamal in the box.

— Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 July 2026

Definition of critical

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urgency

urgent

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“Urgent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/urgent. Accessed 20 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of urgent

adjective

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