Definitions

urgent

[ur-juhnt] / ˈɜr dʒənt /

ADJECTIVE

needing immediate attention

Synonyms

STRONGEST

compelling critical crucial demanding essential immediate imperative important indispensable necessary persuasive pressing serious vital weighty

WEAK

burning called-for capital chief clamant clamorous crying demanded driving exigent foremost heavy hurry-up impelling importunate insistent instant leading life and death momentous paramount primary principal required salient top-priority touch and go touchy wanted

Antonyms

STRONGEST

easy facile inessential insignificant light minor needless nonessential optional secondary small trivial uncritical unimportant unnecessary unsubstantial voluntary

WEAK

moderate

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.

"The most urgent thing is to give us clean water."

From Barron's • May 29, 2026

“The reality remains — the Center requires an urgent and significant restoration — a truth that even the plaintiff acknowledges.”

From Los Angeles Times • May 29, 2026

“The petitioner alleges imminent threat to life” if the court doesn’t take urgent action, the judge said.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 29, 2026

Almost exactly three years before Waldorf showed up at Washington Regional in urgent need of care, a 28-year-old woman named Josseli Barnica arrived at a Houston emergency room with the same condition.

From Salon • May 27, 2026

Penelope may have been in urgent need of transportation, but she was no fool.

From "The Hidden Gallery" by Maryrose Wood

Vocabulary lists containing urgent

A Long Walk to Water

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List 7

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Bud, Not Buddy

Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!