critical

adjective

ˈkri-ti-kəl How to pronounce critical (audio)
Definition of criticalnext
1
as in particular
given to making or expressing unfavorable judgments about things adults tend to be critical of teenagers' taste in music and movies

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in urgent
needing immediate attention this problem isn't critical, so we can go home now and tend to it in the morning

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in crucial
of the greatest possible importance this is the critical exam that will largely determine your college career

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4
as in essential
impossible to do without critical information for an informed medical diagnosis

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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critical thinking
logical thinking
strategic thinking
crucial thinking
rational thinking
analytical thinking
a critical point
a crucial point
a vital point
a climactic point
an analytical point
a climatic point
critical importance
crucial importance
major importance
significant importance
essential importance
extreme importance
a critical review
a skeptical review
a careful review
a cynical review
a negative review
an analytical review
a critical period
an important period
a significant period
a definitive period
an essential period
a pivotal period

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective critical contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of critical are captious, carping, censorious, faultfinding, and hypercritical. While all these words mean "inclined to look for and point out faults and defects," critical may also imply an effort to see a thing clearly and truly in order to judge it fairly.

a critical essay

When might captious be a better fit than critical?

While the synonyms captious and critical are close in meaning, captious suggests a readiness to detect trivial faults or raise objections on trivial grounds.

a captious critic

Where would carping be a reasonable alternative to critical?

The synonyms carping and critical are sometimes interchangeable, but carping implies an ill-natured or perverse picking of flaws.

a carping editorial

When could censorious be used to replace critical?

The words censorious and critical can be used in similar contexts, but censorious implies a disposition to be severely critical and condemnatory.

the censorious tone of the review

When can faultfinding be used instead of critical?

Although the words faultfinding and critical have much in common, faultfinding implies a querulous or exacting temperament.

a faultfinding reviewer

When is it sensible to use hypercritical instead of critical?

The words hypercritical and critical are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, hypercritical suggests a tendency to judge by unreasonably strict standards.

hypercritical disparagement of other people's work

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 critical In a moment when whisky producers in the West are facing oversupply and slowing domestic demand, India could represent a critical path to future growth. —Mark Littler, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025 The federal agency’s weather prediction and air and ocean monitoring impact nearly every industry and provide critical severe weather tracking, including through the National Weather Service. —Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 25 Apr. 2025 Technology is playing a critical role in this transition. —Sj Studio, Sourcing Journal, 25 Apr. 2025 Having visibility across not only tier 1 but tier 2 and 3 suppliers to navigate risk, disruption, trade and more is critical. —Sarah Jones, Sourcing Journal, 10 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for critical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for critical
  1. particular
  2. urgent
  3. crucial
  4. essential
  5. demanding
  6. acute
  7. key
  8. necessary
Adjective
  • In his reply to Gordon-Levitt, Shatner also explained why that particular date was chosen in the first place.
    — David Oliver, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2025
  • The Trump administration has demanded that universities dismantle diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs, and suppress student protests on campus, in particular related to the war in Gaza.
    — Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Apr. 2025
Definition of particular
Adjective
  • This highlights the urgent need for tailored marketing support.
    — Chris Gallagher, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
  • The net result is a flurry of headlines and viral social media posts followed by an urgent platform update.
    — Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of urgent
Adjective
  • Line changes spark Oilers’ third-period charge The Oilers switched their top six during the second intermission heading into a crucial final period of regulation.
    — Eric Stephens, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025
  • This is because coaching encourages independence, growth and establishes a culture of trust, which are crucial elements for sustainable productivity.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
Definition of crucial
Adjective
  • Understanding and regulating the trade in shark and ray meat is no longer optional but essential.
    — Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Every child in New York deserves the chance to learn basic literacy, numeracy, science, and civics — skills essential for participating in society, holding a job, and fulfilling civic duties like voting or serving on a jury.
    — David Bloomfield, New York Daily News, 22 Apr. 2025
Definition of essential
Adjective
  • Tuesday is when teams stage their most demanding practice ahead of a Saturday match.
    — Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Apr. 2025
  • Veterinary professionals work long hours in a physically demanding job.
    — Jen Reeder, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025
Definition of demanding
Adjective
  • The acute need for companies with this level of in-depth warmth and empathy for their clients drives ITS to expand its horizon.
    — William Mullane, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
  • The agency recalled that between 2022 and 2024, around 60% of annual admissions for severe acute malnutrition occurred during the rainy season, meaning that up to 462,000 children could be affected this year if the trend holds.
    — Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab, Forbes.com, 19 Apr. 2025
Definition of acute
Adjective
  • The Democratic primary could become a litmus test for the future of the party in a key swing state and Senate contest.
    — Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 19 Apr. 2025
  • But competition is fierce, and differentiation will be key.
    — Ethan Stone, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
Definition of key
Adjective
  • The laws are seen by the administration as a necessary protection against threats to the country, a betrayal of the principles and virtues of the nation by the opposition and the public at large.
    — Liz Tracey, JSTOR Daily, 25 Apr. 2025
  • In both cases, regulation or policing of markets is necessary to ensure that ‘bad’ actors do not gain an advantage over good ones.
    — Mike O'Sullivan, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
Definition of necessary

Browse Nearby Words

critic
critical
critically
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Cite this Entry

“Critical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/critical. Accessed 2 May. 2025.

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