critical

adjective

ˈkri-ti-kəl How to pronounce critical (audio)
Definition of criticalnext
1
as in particular
given to making or expressing unfavorable judgments about things adults tend to be critical of teenagers' taste in music and movies

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in essential
impossible to do without critical information for an informed medical diagnosis

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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critical thinking
logical thinking
strategic thinking
crucial thinking
rational thinking
analytical thinking
a critical point
a crucial point
a vital point
a climactic point
an analytical point
a climatic point
critical importance
crucial importance
major importance
significant importance
essential importance
extreme importance
a critical review
a skeptical review
a careful review
a cynical review
a negative review
an analytical review
a critical period
an important period
a significant period
a definitive period
an essential period
a pivotal period

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective critical contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of critical are captious, carping, censorious, faultfinding, and hypercritical. While all these words mean "inclined to look for and point out faults and defects," critical may also imply an effort to see a thing clearly and truly in order to judge it fairly.

a critical essay

When might captious be a better fit than critical?

While the synonyms captious and critical are close in meaning, captious suggests a readiness to detect trivial faults or raise objections on trivial grounds.

a captious critic

Where would carping be a reasonable alternative to critical?

The synonyms carping and critical are sometimes interchangeable, but carping implies an ill-natured or perverse picking of flaws.

a carping editorial

When could censorious be used to replace critical?

The words censorious and critical can be used in similar contexts, but censorious implies a disposition to be severely critical and condemnatory.

the censorious tone of the review

When can faultfinding be used instead of critical?

Although the words faultfinding and critical have much in common, faultfinding implies a querulous or exacting temperament.

a faultfinding reviewer

When is it sensible to use hypercritical instead of critical?

The words hypercritical and critical are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, hypercritical suggests a tendency to judge by unreasonably strict standards.

hypercritical disparagement of other people's work

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 critical His defenders included Laura Loomer, the far-right activist who has often been critical of other Trump nominees with histories of supporting Democrats. —Jonathan Swan, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 May 2025 But expert groups were more critical of the proposal. —Katherine Dillinger, CNN Money, 31 May 2025 But at locations now facing critical shortages, staffing overnight shifts on a routine basis is no longer possible. —Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 31 May 2025 While no single power currently has the capacity to dominate the international system, the need for leadership remains critical. —Andrew Latham, The Conversation, 30 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for critical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for critical
  1. particular
  2. urgent
  3. crucial
  4. essential
  5. demanding
  6. acute
  7. key
  8. necessary
Adjective
  • Upon arrival, visitors can take a leisurely stroll along the shoreline and bask in the beauty of the many palm trees, while tiny fish and crustaceans can be found thriving within its natural rock pools—but there’s one animal in particular that draws visitors to Punaluʻu Beach in droves.
    — Jared Ranahan, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
  • For this particular piece, the author has considerable direct experience in using some of these models as well as many other similar camera models, adding further credence to the pros and cons of each camera's performance.
    — Damian Peach, Space.com, 28 May 2025
Definition of particular
Adjective
  • In his urgent nonfiction debut, the writer—who was born in Cairo, grew up in Doha, moved to Canada, and now lives in rural Oregon—wrestles with his disillusionment with the West and its institutions, particularly given the indifference he’s observed in so many as the war rages on.
    — Andrew R. Chow, Time, 6 June 2025
  • The appeals court said there is no urgent need for DOGE to access Social Security records in the interim.
    — Nina Totenberg, NPR, 6 June 2025
Definition of urgent
Adjective
  • Assessing a model’s performance has become crucial for businesses to trust and ultimately adopt AI, Ratner said.
    — Rashi Shrivastava, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025
  • Crucially, the flagship brand Moncler saw sales rise only 2% and its crucial Europe, Middle East, and Africa region fell by 1%.
    — Ganesh Rao, CNBC, 3 June 2025
Definition of crucial
Adjective
  • Taking away mental health care and essential healthcare services from low-income populations puts an already vulnerable group at a significantly higher risk for addiction.
    — Ryan Hampton, Time, 28 May 2025
  • Tailor Your Résumé While certifications are essential, your résumé must reflect a comprehensive picture of your skills and experiences.
    — Jay Garcia, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
Definition of essential
Adjective
  • The nausea is now mostly in the past, Lauren says, and the Lanes are realizing that getting ready for a third child isn’t as demanding as earlier preparations.
    — Nancy Kruh, People.com, 30 May 2025
  • Work and home will be equally demanding, as Venus meets with Jupiter on June 4.
    — Liz Simmons, StyleCaster, 27 May 2025
Definition of demanding
Adjective
  • Exposure is linked to worsening symptoms in those with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but acute cardiovascular risks, including heart attacks and strokes, may be even more pronounced.
    — Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 June 2025
  • Timeline Expectations: The Long Road of Grief Normal grief timeline: Most young adults begin to experience some relief from acute grief symptoms within 6-12 months, though grief waves can continue for years.
    — Charell G. Coleman, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025
Definition of acute
Adjective
  • But thanks to key defensive plays by Panthers like Gustav Forsling and Eetu Luostarinen, Florida kept Edmonton from evening the game until the final moment.
    — Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 7 June 2025
  • The number of federal employees is a key statistic to watch to see the effects of the budget-cutting efforts of the Trump administration and the Department of Government Efficiency.
    — Joseph Lawler, The Washington Examiner, 6 June 2025
Definition of key
Adjective
  • More than 60% of homeowners in both areas are willing to forgo customization of their new homes if financial compromises are necessary.
    — Roger Vincent, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2025
  • More long-term and larger studies are necessary to conclude whether intermittent fasting is beneficial for other aspects of health.
    — Sohaib Imtiaz, Verywell Health, 31 May 2025
Definition of necessary

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critic
critical
critically
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Cite this Entry

“Critical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/critical. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

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