critical
adjective
crit·i·cal
ˈkri-ti-kəl 
1
a
: inclined to criticize severely and unfavorably
Don't be so critical. This is just a first attempt.
They were critical of the new policies.
c
: exercising or involving careful judgment or judicious evaluation
critical thinking
a critical commentary on the mayor's proposal
d
: including variant readings and scholarly emendations
a critical edition
2
a
: of, relating to, or being a turning point or specially important juncture
a critical decision
: such as
(1)
: being or relating to an illness or condition involving danger of death
critical care
hospitalized with a critical illness
The driver sustained critical injuries.
also
: relating to or being the stage of a disease at which an abrupt change for better or worse may be expected
the critical phase of dengue fever
see also critical condition
(2)
: relating to or being a state, measurement, or point in or at which some quality, property, or phenomenon suffers a definite change
critical temperature
b
: indispensable, vital
a critical waterfowl habitat
a component critical to the machine's operation
c
: being in or approaching a state of crisis
a critical shortage
a critical situation
3
a
: of sufficient size to sustain a chain reaction
—used of a mass of fissionable material
a critical mass
b
: sustaining a nuclear chain reaction
The reactor went critical.
critically
adverb
a critically ill patient
The author's texts were examined critically.
criticalness
noun
How early winter arrives will determine the criticalness of planting date.
—
Ed Lentz
Ed Lentz
Synonyms
Examples of critical in a Sentence
The program presents a critical analysis of the government's strategies.
She has a talent for critical thinking.
We need to look at these proposed changes with a critical eye before we accept them.
Recent Examples on the Web
Rubio in the interview said the Arctic was going to become critical for shipping lanes, adding that the United States needs to be able to defend that and warning that U.S. rival China may seek to develop its presence.
—USA TODAY, 31 Jan. 2025
Since 2020, when Giménez ran for Congress with Trump’s endorsement, the former mayor has been increasingly critical of undocumented immigration, arguing that former President Joe Biden’s policies created a crisis at the border.
—Claire Healy, Miami Herald, 31 Jan. 2025
Regardless of that timeline, Canada is preparing for the effects of those tariffs, with Trudeau telling an advisory council on Canada-U.S. relations that the country faced a critical moment.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 31 Jan. 2025
According to the outlet, Acosta was opposed to the idea of the move, and wondered whether the network’s reorganization of its lineup was part of a move to sideline journalists that had been critical of President Donald Trump in the past.
—Julia Moore, People.com, 31 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for critical 
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USA TODAY, 31 Jan. 2025
Since 2020, when Giménez ran for Congress with Trump’s endorsement, the former mayor has been increasingly critical of undocumented immigration, arguing that former President Joe Biden’s policies created a crisis at the border.
—Claire Healy, Miami Herald, 31 Jan. 2025
Regardless of that timeline, Canada is preparing for the effects of those tariffs, with Trudeau telling an advisory council on Canada-U.S. relations that the country faced a critical moment.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 31 Jan. 2025
According to the outlet, Acosta was opposed to the idea of the move, and wondered whether the network’s reorganization of its lineup was part of a move to sideline journalists that had been critical of President Donald Trump in the past.
—Julia Moore, People.com, 31 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for critical
Articles Related to critical
Dictionary Entries Near critical
Cite this Entry
“Critical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/critical. Accessed 8 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
critical
adjective
crit·i·cal
ˈkrit-i-kəl
1
a
: inclined to criticize unfavorably
b
: consisting of or involving criticism or the judgments of critics
critical writings
c
: using or involving careful judgment
a critical examination of a patient
2
a
: of, relating to, or being a turning point
the critical phase of a fever
also
: being at a stage of illness involving danger of death
b
: being or relating to a state or point at which a definite change occurs
the critical temperature
c
: crucial sense 1
a critical test
3
: indispensable, vital
provides critical services
4
: of big enough size to keep a chain reaction going
—used of a mass of material that can go through fission
Medical Definition
critical
adjective
crit·i·cal
ˈkrit-i-kəl
1
: being or relating to an illness or condition involving danger of death
critical care
a critical head injury
see also critical condition
2
: relating to, indicating, or being the stage of a disease at which an abrupt change for better or worse may be anticipated with reasonable certainty
the critical phase of dengue fever
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