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Showing results for critical. Search instead for criticali.
Definitions

critical

[krit-i-kuhl] / ˈkrɪt ɪ kəl /
ADJECTIVE
fault-finding, detracting
Synonyms
STRONGEST
demanding
WEAK
analytical belittling biting calumniatory captious carping caviling cavillous censorious censuring choleric condemning critic cutting cynical demeaning derogatory diagnostic disapproving discerning discriminating disparaging exacting exceptive finicky fussy hairsplitting humbling hypercritical lowering nagging niggling nit-picking overcritical particular penetrating reproachful sarcastic satirical scolding severe sharp trenchant withering
Antonyms
WEAK
complimentary laudatory praising trivial uncritical unimportant
ADJECTIVE
urgently important
Synonyms
STRONGEST
crucial dangerous decisive dire integral perilous pivotal precarious risky serious significant strategic urgent vital
WEAK
acute all-important bottom-line climacteric conclusive consequential deciding desperate determinative exceptive grave hairy hazardous high-priority momentous pressing weighty
Antonyms
STRONGEST
certain inessential minor safe secure sure trivial unimportant unnecessary
WEAK
complimentary laudatory praising uncritical

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

She will emphasise that the Strait or Hormuz must reopen as the "deliberate blocking of this critical artery of the global economy" is affecting British people, despite being more than 3,000 miles away.

From BBC • Apr. 9, 2026

Anthropic launched Project Glasswing, a coalition deploying its Claude Mythos Preview model to defend critical software.

From Barron's • Apr. 8, 2026

U.S. bases in Europe serve as a critical hub of global U.S. military operations, as well as provide an economic boon to the host country through investment.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026

There could also be potential direct benefits to companies like Micron if the war ends and critical chip-making supplies can flow more easily through the Middle East, analysts note.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 8, 2026

Kuhn’s approach took the scientific enterprise as given, and so inevitably it missed the process of its formation, which was critical to the belated triumph of Copernicanism.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton