urgent

adjective

ur·​gent ˈər-jənt How to pronounce urgent (audio)
1
a
: calling for immediate attention : pressing
urgent appeals
an urgent need
b
: conveying a sense of urgency
2
: urging insistently : importunate
urgently adverb

Examples of urgent in a Sentence

We've come to deliver an urgent message. an urgent appeal for assistance He addressed us in an urgent manner. An urgent voice came over the intercom, telling us to leave the building immediately.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Given the breakneck speed at which OpenAI is continuing its for-profit conversion, this is a special case with an urgent necessity for action. Alex Heath, The Verge, 14 Dec. 2024 As Barbie painted the world pink and covered the box office in a whopping $1.4 billion of green, an urgent question emerged and was lobbed at everyone involved: What about a sequel? Chris Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Dec. 2024 Such a move would, however, delay the urgent need to tackle France’s fiscal problems, with the budget deficit already predicted to hit 6.1% of GDP in 2024, and is expected to rise further if measures are not taken to rein in spending. Karen Gilchrist, CNBC, 13 Dec. 2024 Anderson Humane puts out call for pet fostering volunteers Anderson Humane in South Elgin is in urgent need of people to help foster pets waiting for adoption over the holiday season. Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 13 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for urgent 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin urgent-, urgens, present participle of urgēre

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of urgent was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near urgent

Cite this Entry

“Urgent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/urgent. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

urgent

adjective
ur·​gent ˈər-jənt How to pronounce urgent (audio)
1
a
: calling for immediate attention : pressing
an urgent need for food
b
: indicating an urgent desire or need
an urgent manner
2
: urging very earnestly
urgently adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on urgent

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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