urgent

adjective

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

Synonyms of urgent

Relevance
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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.
Michael came home from the urgent-care center with an informational packet that included this advice. — Ruby Cramer, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026 Disruption in the Strait of Hormuz has made expanding these projects even more urgent. — Jesse Marks, Foreign Affairs, 31 Aug. 2026 Summary Retail leaders face urgent pressure to prove AI investments deliver real business value amid persistent uncertainty, especially heading into the critical holiday season. — Jill Standish, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026 Philanthropy takes center stage Organizers vowed to work with nonprofit partners to put the grants toward their most urgent and underresourced needs. — James Pollard, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026 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

Phrases Containing urgent

Rhymes for urgent

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Browse Nearby Words

urgency
urgent
urgent care
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Cite this Entry

“Urgent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/urgent. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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