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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of critical
Bondi's credibility is shot at a time when DOJ's ability to defend the country and the administration are at a critical juncture.
—
Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 July 2025
The platform’s growing critical acclaim mirrors the rise of other streaming services that have reshaped the awards landscape in recent years.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 15 July 2025
Most recently garnering critical acclaim for her starring role opposite Nicholas Hoult and Bill Skarsgård in Robert Eggers’ Nosferatu, Depp is repped by CAA, Markham, Froggatt & Irwin, Agence Adequat, and Lichter, Grossman, Nichols.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 15 July 2025
Em Out arrived to critical acclaim, with some hailing it as an instant classic and contender for album of the year.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 15 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for critical
Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 July 2025
The platform’s growing critical acclaim mirrors the rise of other streaming services that have reshaped the awards landscape in recent years.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 15 July 2025
Most recently garnering critical acclaim for her starring role opposite Nicholas Hoult and Bill Skarsgård in Robert Eggers’ Nosferatu, Depp is repped by CAA, Markham, Froggatt & Irwin, Agence Adequat, and Lichter, Grossman, Nichols.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 15 July 2025
Em Out arrived to critical acclaim, with some hailing it as an instant classic and contender for album of the year.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 15 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for critical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for critical
Adjective
-
In ‘Pics,’ Alison belongs to a group chat that functions like a judgmental Greek chorus.—
Book Marks
July 17,
Literary Hub,
17 July 2025
-
For people who feel marginalized, powerless, or cut off from the elite—like much of Gen Z—bots seem less judgmental than humans and thus give their users more agency.—
Yasmin Green,
Foreign Affairs,
7 July 2025
Adjective
-
Sutton added that with higher participation in an opt-in system, emergency managers could use that channel for less urgent alerts and conserve IPAWS alerts for the most high-risk situations.—
Bayliss Wagner,
Austin American Statesman,
25 July 2025
-
For many who’ve been on the ground preventing violence in their communities, the debate at the Capitol feels urgent.—
Andrea May Sahouri,
Freep.com,
25 July 2025
Adjective
-
Therefore, long-term planning can play a crucial role in unlocking the financial flexibility that helps to allow retirees to sleep well at night, free from the fear of depleting their nest egg.—
Wes Moss,
Forbes.com,
22 July 2025
-
Attorneys make a crucial difference for a child or a teen.—
Nicol León,
AZCentral.com,
22 July 2025
Adjective
-
The truth is, digestion is an essential part of the wellness and health conversation.—
Ariana Yaptangco,
Glamour,
15 July 2025
-
Same goes for date syrup, which contains essential minerals like potassium, magnesium, and iron as well as antioxidants and fiber.—
Jeanne Ballion,
Vogue,
14 July 2025
Adjective
-
In Gaza City, 16% of 15,000 children were found to suffer from acute malnutrition, quadruple the percentage from February.—
Scott Neuman,
NPR,
25 July 2025
-
This is sometimes called an acute dystonia reaction.—
Ruth Jessen Hickman,
Health,
25 July 2025
Adjective
-
Local school districts are assessing the future stability of key student services, including funding for student achievement and English acquisition, after the U.S. Department of Education paused the release of $6 billion in funding this month.—
Keri Heath,
Austin American Statesman,
25 July 2025
-
More key members of the team tasked with bringing the East Bank development to life have been selected, and a construction timeline is emerging.—
Molly Davis,
The Tennessean,
25 July 2025
Adjective
-
The data needs to be accessible and running in sync across necessary components within the system, not operating in a silo.—
Lori Schafer,
Forbes.com,
16 July 2025
-
The Trump administration argued the deployment was necessary to deal with chaotic protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrests.—
July 15,
CBS News,
15 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
-
Is there any particular song that a band member fights for?—
Maya Georgi,
Rolling Stone,
14 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Critical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/critical. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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