urgent

adjective

ˈər-jənt How to pronounce urgent (audio)
Definition of urgentnext
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 But the situation had become critical, demanding an urgent remedy. — Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 7 Aug. 2026 Founded and led by Indigenous voices, we are dedicated to providing crucial services to address the urgent needs arising from this pressing issue. — Dateline Nbc, NBC news, 6 Aug. 2026 The venom interferes with clotting and can cause widespread internal and external bleeding, making urgent medical assessment essential. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 6 Aug. 2026 The need for an outdoor gun range is urgent, according to multiple city officials, marksmen and developers the Idaho Statesman spoke with. — Noah Daly august 6, Idaho Statesman, 6 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for urgent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for urgent
  1. acute
  2. pressing
  3. dire
  4. intense
  5. compelling
  6. emergent
  7. desperate
  8. critical
Adjective
  • The concern is especially acute for seniors and people with mobility challenges.
    — Maddie White, CBS News, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Ukraine remains heavily reliant on the American Patriot PAC-3 system to intercept Russian ballistic missiles and Ukrainian officials have repeatedly argued that domestic production of this technology would help to ease an acute air defense shortage.
    — Sam Meredith, CNBC, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of acute
Adjective
  • More pressing, the Tigers did not add help for their leaky bullpen.
    — Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Her teams work at the intersection of business strategy and technology, helping customers and partners translate the most pressing priorities of their industries into measurable outcomes through AI and the infrastructure that powers it.
    — Hayley Tabor, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
Definition of pressing
Adjective
  • The extreme weather compounds an already dire humanitarian crisis.
    — Elena Becatoros, Chicago Tribune, 3 Aug. 2026
  • His new documentary takes on the cryptocurrency industry, portraying the controversial digital currency as corrupt and in dire need of more regulations.
    — Brent Lang, Variety, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of dire
Adjective
  • An unusually intense El Niño event is gathering strength in the tropical Pacific in a hurry.
    — Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Thousands of Offers Nazareth University, located near Rochester, New York, is using direct admissions in part to reach those outside of the state where competition for students is particularly intense.
    — Bloomberg, Mercury News, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of intense
Adjective
  • The main event between top babyfaces Rhodes and Punk, while a compelling narrative, highlighted a repetitive formula of popular heroes clashing for world titles.
    — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
  • While a league title may still represent a step too far, there is a compelling case that the Blues have a chance in the domestic cup competitions as Alonso begins building his new side.
    — Graham Ruthven, New York Times, 31 July 2026
Definition of compelling
Adjective
  • In that time, artificial intelligence has progressed from emergent language and vision applications to the primary driver of software creation.
    — Michael Wee, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Tackle these with pre- or post-emergent herbicide depending on timing.
    — David Beaulieu, The Spruce, 29 July 2026
Definition of emergent
Adjective
  • The 30-year-old construction worker ended up curling up with other Cubans on the city's sea wall, the Malecón, in a desperate attempt to escape the suffocating summer heat during yet another islandwide blackout.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Lately, though, Telford said, people have become desperate enough about ticks to reconsider.
    — Sarah Zhang, The Atlantic, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of desperate
Adjective
  • With the 2028 Olympics on the horizon, du Plessis views this as a critical, yet temporary, opportunity to transform cricket into a mainstream American sport, stressing that success demands proactive vision.
    — Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2026
  • As in the maritime domain, AI governance is becoming the new frontier of a Cold War-style contest between China and the US, which both sides see as critical to their national security and prosperity.
    — Andy Browne, semafor.com, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of critical

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urgent
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Cite this Entry

“Urgent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/urgent. Accessed 9 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on urgent

Nglish: Translation of urgent for Spanish Speakers

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