pressing

1 of 2

adjective

press·​ing ˈpre-siŋ How to pronounce pressing (audio)
Synonyms of pressingnext
1
: urgently important : critical
a pressing issue
2
: earnest, warm
pressingly
ˈpre-siŋ-lē How to pronounce pressing (audio)
adverb

pressing

2 of 2

present participle of press entry 2, press entry 3

Synonyms of pressing

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Adjective

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Examples of pressing in a Sentence

Adjective a pressing need for reform she had pressing business on the other side of town
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.
Adjective
There followed a few weeks of dancing around the topic, before Rodri went to Barcelona and City had a more pressing need for a senior midfielder. — Nick Miller, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026 Among the more pressing challenges is rising water temperatures, which have an impact on several local species. — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 31 Aug. 2026 One of the most pressing issues is a federal antitrust exemption, the likes of which most pro sports have some part of but college does not. — ABC News, 30 Aug. 2026 Trust in product data is becoming more pressing as more regulators demand transparency. — Roy Stephen Canivel, Footwear News, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pressing

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1591, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of pressing was in 1591

Phrases Containing pressing

Rhymes for pressing

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Browse Nearby Words

press home
pressing
pressing board
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Cite this Entry

“Pressing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pressing. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

pressing

adjective
press·​ing ˈpres-iŋ How to pronounce pressing (audio)
: needing one's immediate attention
a pressing issue
pressingly
-iŋ-lē How to pronounce pressing (audio)
adverb
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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