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.

This marriage between insurers and private assets is entering a critical stage.

From The Wall Street Journal

"Findings from our clinical trial and our mechanistic study show that is now feasible to bring these critical immune cells into glioblastoma."

From Science Daily

The airline says its new economic model is critical to catch industry rivals, even if passengers have to pay more.

From The Wall Street Journal

The Lakers have climbed from sixth to third in the Western Conference in two weeks, netting critical tiebreakers against rivals Minnesota, Denver and Houston.

From Los Angeles Times

"This is critical for us. It is a resource to protect lives," he said.

From BBC

critical

Example Sentences

Related Words