urgent

adjective

ur·​gent ˈər-jənt 

1

a

: calling for immediate attention : pressing

urgent appeals

an urgent need

b

: conveying a sense of urgency

2

: urging insistently : importunate

urgently adverb

Synonyms

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

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

Although drought is the most urgent threat, the Northeast is also broadly getting rainier as a result of climate change, because a warmer atmosphere can hold more moisture. —Denise Chow, NBC News, 7 Nov. 2024

And the need for more crew couldn’t be more urgent as Japan’s Visual Industry Promotion Organization (VIPO) revealed that ten projects have already been approved for the country’s new 50% location incentive. —Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2024

While many of the DOL’s recommendations center around helping workers adjust, the agency also places an urgent onus on protecting workers’ rights, data and privacy. —Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 5 Nov. 2024

Signals from our minds, while subtler, are every bit as urgent. —Allbusiness, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024

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

Phrases Containing urgent

• urgent care

Kids Definition

urgent

adjective

ur·​gent ˈər-jənt 

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