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
-
In response, researchers and experts are sounding the alarm—calling for urgent, comprehensive solutions to reverse these trends and support youth wellbeing.—
Semafor Events,
semafor.com,
30 June 2025
-
Too Much Going On Limits Executive Team Performance Today’s executive teams are pulled in more directions than ever—global priorities, cross-functional initiatives, urgent issues, never-ending decks.—
Elizabeth Freedman,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
Adjective
-
With excitement growing over his pace and death-bowling abilities in the crucial latter stages of an innings — ramped up after a final-over hat-trick against Middlesex in the Twenty20 Blast — England fast-tracked him.—
Max Mathews,
New York Times,
9 July 2025
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And many emergency management experts and state disaster response officials say that FEMA plays a crucial role that state governments cannot fill.—
Rebecca Hersher,
NPR,
9 July 2025
Adjective
-
Naturally produced by your body, collagen is an essential protein that helps build and maintain skin, bones, and connective tissues.—
Brianna Peters,
Vogue,
1 July 2025
-
The idea is to keep pushing European governments on problems created by tourism, like rising rents and housing shortages, environmental damage and neighborhoods losing essential services for residents.—
Michael Goldstein,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
Adjective
-
Since then, Ben & Jerry’s politics have been a headache for its parent, and the tensions between the two have grown more acute as the business community got swept into the culture wars — first pulled to the left in the mid-2010s, then retreating rightward under the second Trump administration.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
30 June 2025
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Decades later, that feeling is more acute: the gay beach in Chicago where it was taken no longer exists, memorialized today by a 2.5-acre garden in memory of those who lost their lives to AIDS.—
Jacqui Palumbo,
CNN Money,
29 June 2025
Adjective
-
Based on recent social media activity, one key member of the roster seems to be getting along with the team's major offseason addition.—
Kevin McCormick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 June 2025
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This includes key personnel, transition plans, and operational procedures.—
Lien De Pau,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
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
Adjective
-
The comments from Samoan viewers in particular meant the world to her.—
Ashley Vega,
People.com,
1 July 2025
-
But my contract got particular traction, maybe because of the circumstances.—
Barry M. Bloom,
Sportico.com,
1 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Critical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://x0upouf933.proxynodejs.usequeue.com/thesaurus/critical. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.
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