URGENTLY 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 debate has become more urgent in recent years as heat waves have intensified, coinciding with a surge in AC sales across Europe and a growing push to more widely adopt the technology. — Christopher Cann, USA Today, 2 July 2026 Swift has built a long track record of giving across education, disaster relief, food insecurity, and music programs, often contributing quietly or stepping in quickly during moments of urgent need. — Lily Brown, PEOPLE, 3 July 2026 This finding underscores an urgent need to upgrade wastewater infrastructure, expand monitoring, and research pharmaceutical impacts on marine life globally. — Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026 Humanitarian organizations continue warning that shelter, clean water, sanitation, health care and psychological support remain among the country’s most urgent needs. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 3 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for urgent

Recent Examples of Synonyms for urgent

Adjective

The Irkutsk region, home to a Rosneft oil refinery, has experienced acute shortages for several days, with lines growing, Kharitonenko said.

— ABC News, ABC News, 1 July 2026
Extensive evidence suggests that treating acute psychiatric conditions in an ED setting yields poor clinical outcomes.

— Ian West, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026

Definition of acute

Adjective

Aggressive counter-pressing is also a defining feature, with teams swiftly attempting to recover possession high up the pitch, and successful sides regaining the ball faster.

— Clemente Lisi, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
Duncan said adding another stadium project to the city’s ledger that does not address the city’s more pressing issues still hurts taxpayers, despite the developers’ plans to back the bonds.

— Dylan Lysen June 30, Kansas City Star, 30 June 2026

Definition of pressing

Adjective

But with resources diverted to fighting Iran, Ukraine is facing an even more dire shortage.

— Rebecca Schneid, Time, 6 July 2026
From four consecutive 1,000-yard seasons to one year with 100 catches to a Pro Bowl appearance, Lockett brings a similar leadership acumen to a team in dire need of it.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 5 July 2026

Definition of dire

Adjective

During periods of intense rainfall, the risk of flooding increases, particularly in low-lying and flood-prone areas.

— NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 8 July 2026
Treating fear and anxiety in dogs doesn’t always require a bigger yard or a more intense exercise routine.

— Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 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

Infrastructure In infrastructure, the analysts said investors should look at companies that own critical networks such as grids, pipelines, fiber networks and transport assets that are difficult to replicate.

— Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 8 July 2026
Women comprise 35% of US STEM employees, yet retention, not attraction, is the primary challenge, with women leaving at higher rates and companies losing critical knowledge.

— Janice Gassam Asare, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026

Definition of critical

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urgency

urgent

urges

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“Urgent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/urgent. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of urgent

adjective

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