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Definitions

pressing

[pres-ing] / ˈprɛs ɪŋ /
ADJECTIVE
important; urgent
Synonyms
STRONGEST
acute compelling critical crucial demanding dire immediate imperative insistent serious vital
STRONG
burning claiming constraining crying distressing exacting forcing instant obliging requiring
WEAK
clamant clamorous exigent heat-on high-priority hurry-up importunate life-and-death
Antonyms
STRONGEST
dull inessential optional trivial uncritical unimportant
WEAK
insignificant

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 kept pressing on what the trial judge should have done, and what, specifically, defense counsel was required to do.

From Slate • Apr. 10, 2026

US President Donald Trump asked Congress on Friday for $152 million to begin rebuilding the notorious Alcatraz prison, pressing ahead with his vision to return the former island lockup to active use.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

The context was the crisis in the eurozone and the role he was pressing on a reluctant Germany was an economic, not a military one.

From BBC • Mar. 27, 2026

Then I ask the AI to quiz me on it, Socratically, pressing me on the connections I missed.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026

A second later I was pressing the activation button on her cuffs.

From "Glitch" by Laura Martin