pressing

adjective

press·​ing ˈpre-siŋ 

1

: urgently important : critical

a pressing issue

2

: earnest, warm

pressingly

ˈpre-siŋ-lē 

adverb

Synonyms

• acute
• burning
• clamant
• compelling
• critical
• crying
• dire
• emergent
• exigent
• imperative
• imperious
• importunate
• instant
• necessitous
• urgent

Examples of pressing in a Sentence

a pressing need for reform

she had pressing business on the other side of town

Recent Examples on the Web

Figuring out the long-term futures of Ingram and McCollum is a far more pressing priority. —Bryan Toporek, Forbes, 3 Dec. 2024

Race day on Saturday had a more pressing start, however, as drivers met at the hotel’s pop-up Bugatti Pit Stop Lounge for a briefing before embarking on a tour with their hypercars to Valley of Fire State Park. —Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 26 Nov. 2024

Held in the heart of Manhattan on November 21, the event celebrated extraordinary individuals and organizations addressing some of the world’s most pressing issues—from climate change to gender equality. —Melissa Noel, Essence, 26 Nov. 2024

Matt Gaetz’s withdrawing his name from consideration to be attorney general removes the most pressing reason for Donald Trump to want to recess-appoint his entire cabinet. —The Editors, National Review, 22 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1591, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing pressing

• flesh-pressing

Kids Definition

pressing

adjective

press·​ing ˈpres-iŋ 

: needing one's immediate attention

a pressing issue

pressingly

-iŋ-lē 

adverb