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.

India lacks some of critical components for economic flourishing, such as robust infrastructure, workable transportation, and reliable energy.

From Barron's

Economic sanctions can bring critical pressure on foreign adversaries.

From The Wall Street Journal

In a letter to its customers, Heraeus Medical said it had experienced a critical machine failure at its main site when it was in the process of upgrading its production processes.

From BBC

But now that businesses are mature enough to understand those potential roadblocks, they are taking longer to evaluate and being more critical of potential solutions, Roth said.

From The Wall Street Journal

critical

Example Sentences

Related Words