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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.

Americans face a crisis of violence, yes, but the crisis of compassion is just as pressing.

From Salon • Apr. 3, 2026

Amid it all, I remember a nurse pressing two fingers rhythmically into Jane’s small chest.

From Slate • Mar. 29, 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

Playing more slowly on the ball in theory may have helped Chelsea's players rest during the game before then pressing more intensely for shorter periods.

From BBC • Mar. 24, 2026

“I know why you said you’d stay,” she said, taking one of the pieces and pressing the other into my hand.

From "Nory Ryan’s Song" by Patricia Reilly Giff

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.