as in urgent
needing immediate attention
she had pressing business on the other side of town
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in seizing
to take or make use of under a guise of authority but without actual right
the fleeing bank robber pressed a nearby taxi into service as a getaway car
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in shoving
to push steadily against with some force
an old doorbell that requires you to press the button hard
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in squeezing
to apply external pressure on so as to force out the juice or contents of
my family will only drink juice from freshly pressed oranges
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in huddling
to gather into a closely packed group
everyone pressed around me to see the pictures
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
5
as in forcing
to cause (a person) to give in to pressure
a manager pressed by a business crisis to return from his vacation ahead of schedule
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in urging
to try to persuade (someone) through earnest appeals to follow a course of action
pressed us to go with them to the school board meeting
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in highlighting
to indicate the importance of by centering attention on
an office e-mail that presses the need for greater vigilance concerning building security
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of pressing
Jennifer Bradley Franklin, USA Today, 28 May 2025
Perhaps the more pressing concern, especially to domestic audiences and studios, should be the decline of theatergoing.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 17 May 2025
Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Mar. 2025
Those two pressing matters have put talks with IndyCar for a 2026 event on pause as the promoters wait to see if Mexico City has an appetite and ability to afford multiple racing series.
—Jenna Fryer, Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pressing
Adjective
In 2024, the Scott brothers partnered on a first-of-its-kind partnership called The Healthy Home Innovation Fund to invest in innovations that can help tackle the most pressing issues facing homeowners, renters, builders and others.
—Jennifer Bradley Franklin, USA Today, 28 May 2025
Perhaps the more pressing concern, especially to domestic audiences and studios, should be the decline of theatergoing.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 17 May 2025
Verb
The Dishwasher Is Starting to Rust Rust is never a good sign, but a few specks of rust on the outside of the dishwasher might not be a pressing issue that needs to be dealt with immediately.
—Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Mar. 2025
Those two pressing matters have put talks with IndyCar for a 2026 event on pause as the promoters wait to see if Mexico City has an appetite and ability to afford multiple racing series.
—Jenna Fryer, Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pressing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pressing
Adjective
-
Arsenal’s reticence to spend on development players is understandable — particularly in the case of last January, when there was also an urgent need for a first-team centre-forward.—
James McNicholas,
New York Times,
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
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
Cite this Entry
“Pressing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pressing. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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