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 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
  1. acute
  2. pressing
  3. dire
  4. intense
  5. compelling
  6. emergent
  7. desperate
  8. critical
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
  • Indie Shakes managing director David Melville distills his production around scenes of intense conflict.
    — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
  • As the planet warms, extreme heat events are becoming more common, intense and long-lasting.
    — Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 1 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
  • Cubans strolled along el Paseo del Prado promenade in the inky night, desperate to escape the stifling heat of their homes.
    — Romina Ruiz-Goiriena, USA Today, 6 July 2026
  • Panicked parents crowded behind police tape, desperate to find their children.
    — Faith Karimi, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
Definition of desperate
Adjective
  • The unorthodox midterm convention comes as Democrats continue to poll stronger than Republicans ahead of November's critical elections.
    — Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 1 July 2026
  • Kennard could have provided a critical floor-spacing piece around Doncic, who thrives when surrounded by lob-catching centers, athletic wings and knockdown shooters.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
Definition of critical

Browse Nearby Words

urgency
urgent
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Cite this Entry

“Urgent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/urgent. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on urgent

Nglish: Translation of urgent for Spanish Speakers

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