1
as in judgmental
given to making or expressing unfavorable judgments about things
adults tend to be critical of teenagers' taste in music and movies
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in crucial
of the greatest possible importance
this is the critical exam that will largely determine your college career
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in essential
impossible to do without
critical information for an informed medical diagnosis
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Try This Instead
Try This InsteadFor
Try This
critical thinking
a critical point
critical importance
a critical review
a critical period
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of critical
States loan the money to cities and towns at low interest rates, enabling communities to spread out the cost of critical government services people take for granted, such as replacing leaky street mains, maintaining treatment plants and rehabbing water towers.
—
Michael Hawthorne, Chicago Tribune, 6 July 2025
This session will explore the critical need to recognize, understand, and combat these harmful narratives that distort truth and threaten the integrity of our communities.
—Essence, 5 July 2025
While uncertainty is an inevitable part of the industry, consulting firms have an enormous opportunity to rise above disruption by aligning their strategies with three critical focus areas: innovation, operational efficiency and a people-first mindset.
—Amy Bjarnason, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
That mindset is gone—owners are sinking money into the franchises, which is critical as the players negotiate their new CBA.
—Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 24 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for critical
Michael Hawthorne, Chicago Tribune, 6 July 2025
This session will explore the critical need to recognize, understand, and combat these harmful narratives that distort truth and threaten the integrity of our communities.
—Essence, 5 July 2025
While uncertainty is an inevitable part of the industry, consulting firms have an enormous opportunity to rise above disruption by aligning their strategies with three critical focus areas: innovation, operational efficiency and a people-first mindset.
—Amy Bjarnason, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
That mindset is gone—owners are sinking money into the franchises, which is critical as the players negotiate their new CBA.
—Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 24 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for critical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for critical
Adjective
-
But what if, despite your best intentions, your communication is coming off as judgmental?—
Melody Wilding,
CNBC,
6 July 2025
-
No one likes an audience member that's judgmental the whole time.—
Meredith Wilshere,
People.com,
28 June 2025
Adjective
-
What's new is the urgent need to respond to a fundamentally different business environment that's more interconnected than ever before.—
Tima Bansal,
Forbes.com,
11 July 2025
-
The National Weather Service sent urgent alerts about potentially life-threatening danger hours in advance of the flash floods, leaving time to notify and try to evacuate people in harm’s way.—
Jennifer Berry Hawes,
ProPublica,
11 July 2025
Adjective
-
Both aspects are a crucial part of the Superman story.—
True Tamplin,
Forbes.com,
9 July 2025
-
In a crucial leadership change last September, Starbucks appointed Molly Liu, former chief of Starbucks China's digital division, to head its business in the country.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
9 July 2025
Adjective
-
The truth is, digestion is an essential part of the wellness and health conversation.—
Ariana Yaptangco,
Glamour,
15 July 2025
-
Hoka Vibrant Bloom Clifton Sneakers Walking countless miles exploring Mediterranean ports, Hoka's Vibrant Bloom Clifton Sneakers were essential for feeling comfortable.—
Alexis Benveniste,
Travel + Leisure,
14 July 2025
Adjective
-
Since then, more than 57,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks in Gaza, according to Reuters, and millions are suffering from acute malnutrition, starvation and illness.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
12 July 2025
-
The number of children admitted for severe acute malnutrition (SAM), the most deadly form of malnutrition, rose by 50 percent from April to May.—
Sarah Ferguson,
Forbes.com,
11 July 2025
Adjective
-
Those were key questions Friday night during the mostly crowd-pleasing 2025 Happy Together Tour performance at Humphreys Concerts by the Bay.—
George Varga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 July 2025
-
Whether or not the agency could maintain the independence necessary to be seen as legitimate emerged as a key concern during Friday’s board meeting.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
12 July 2025
Adjective
-
Eduardo Cavaliere, Rio’s vice mayor, said in an interview that the rules were necessary to impose some order to a sometimes chaotic scene.—
Dado Galdieri,
New York Times,
6 July 2025
-
Of course the private sector can price assets correctly of its own accord, and if riskless securities are necessary for this purpose, the private sector can produce them.—
Brian Domitrovic,
Forbes.com,
6 July 2025
Adjective
-
That’s not the fault of Boll & Branch, that is just how this particular cotton weave works.—
Jessica Hartshorn,
Flow Space,
14 July 2025
-
This particular pain is never returned to—not in these terms.—
James Wood,
New Yorker,
14 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Critical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/critical. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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