pressing

adjective

press·​ing ˈpre-siŋ 

1

: urgently important : critical

a pressing issue

2

: earnest, warm

pressingly

ˈpre-siŋ-lē 

adverb

Synonyms

• acute
• burning
• clamant
• compelling
• critical
• crying
• dire
• emergent
• exigent
• imperative
• imperious
• importunate
• instant
• necessitous
• urgent

Examples of pressing in a Sentence

a pressing need for reform

she had pressing business on the other side of town

Recent Examples on the Web

The law legalizing gay unions was approved in June, but is still pending royal approval, making this film’s inquiry into the need for such protections all the more pressing. —Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 13 Sep. 2024

Restrictions on Ukraine's use of American long-range weapons against targets inside Russia have been one of the most pressing issues for Blinken during the visit. —David Brennan, ABC News, 11 Sep. 2024

By the end of the night, the manager had more pressing frustrations with his team’s porous fielding — the main culprit in what was their fourth loss in the last six games. —Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2024

Some around the league expected there would be some movement on the topic with other more pressing league priorities now in the rearview. —Eric Jackson, Sportico.com, 10 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1591, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing pressing

• flesh-pressing

Kids Definition

pressing

adjective

press·​ing ˈpres-iŋ 

: needing one's immediate attention

a pressing issue

pressingly

-iŋ-lē 

adverb