URGENT 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

Relevance

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 At the same time, as tech companies issue urgent new warnings about the dangers of AI, the Department of Health and Human Services convened childhood experts Tuesday to discuss the harms of excessive adolescent screen use. — Arthur Jones Ii, ABC News, 2 Sep. 2026 Some of the biggest stars at this year’s Venice Film Festival won’t be the famous faces walking the red carpet, but the wildly high-profile subjects of documentaries that range from intoxicating to grippingly urgent. — Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026 The decade also saw the decline of American manufacturing devastate many working-class communities, along with the AIDS epidemic, which became the country’s most urgent health crisis. — Antonio Ferme, Variety, 2 Sep. 2026 Watch for suspicious links and requests Be cautious with unexpected links, attachments and urgent requests for payment or personal information. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 1 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for urgent

Recent Examples of Synonyms for urgent

Adjective

Latest analysis from the UN World Food Programme (WFP) projects that by the end of 2027, as many as 274 million people worldwide could face acute food insecurity—an increase of approximately 49 million from current levels.

— , CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026
Her cause of death was reportedly cardiac arrest, with acute hypoxic respiratory failure and status asthmaticus, or severe asthma, listed as contributing conditions.

— KiMi Robinson, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of acute

Adjective

There followed a few weeks of dancing around the topic, before Rodri went to Barcelona and City had a more pressing need for a senior midfielder.

— Nick Miller, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
Among the more pressing challenges is rising water temperatures, which have an impact on several local species.

— Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of pressing

Adjective

Motion Applied brings experience from motorsport, where power electronics face rapid load changes and intense operating conditions.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 2 Sep. 2026
As if this weren’t enough for one day, Venus will also make its debut in the secretive and smoldering sign of Scorpio, where the love planet trades light-hearted flirtation for something deeper and way more intense.

— Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of intense

Adjective

How widespread those changes will be is a compelling question.

— Chandler Rome, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
This involves understanding and speaking the client's language, translating complex technology into tangible business outcomes, and delivering compelling presentations.

— William Arruda, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of compelling

Adjective

Apply Herbicides If there are patches of nutgrass spreading in your lawn, a post-emergent herbicide can help.

— Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 23 Aug. 2026
Blue spaces have been touted as an emergent wellness benefit based on recent research showing coastal lifestyles linked to lower cortisol, higher reported happiness levels and sleep enhancement.

— Jeffrey Steele, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of emergent

Adjective

Predecessor Eddie Howe had been desperate to bring the Belgian to the club.

— Chris Waugh, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Yoon has defended his action, calling it a desperate attempt to draw public support for his fight against the liberal opposition Democratic Party that obstructed his agenda.

— ABC News, ABC News, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of desperate

Adjective

Engineers can develop critical reactor hardware internally while sourcing mature technologies elsewhere.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 2 Sep. 2026
The mere possibility of losing its critical space assets in a surprise attack could push the United States to use its forces early or to delegate launch authority in ways that raise the risk of an accident, to avoid the devastating consequences.

— Jeffrey Lewis, Foreign Affairs, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of critical

Browse Nearby Words

urgency

urgent

urges

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Style

“Urgent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/urgent. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of urgent

adjective

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