urgent

adjective

ur·​gent ˈər-jənt How to pronounce urgent (audio)
Synonyms of urgentnext
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

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.
Deepfake impersonation turns every phone call, video message or urgent request into a potential attack. Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 20 Dec. 2025 Yet here, where the need is just as urgent, the CPUC seems content to stall progress. Javier Palomarez, Sacbee.com, 19 Dec. 2025 This sentiment is deeply ingrained and persists despite the continent’s urgent need to raise funds to rearm, replenish stocks, and modernize its defense industrial base since the onset of Russia’s war in Ukraine. Douglas Rediker, Foreign Affairs, 17 Dec. 2025 On the afternoon of January 29, 2024, call handlers from humanitarian aid organisation the Palestine Red Crescent Society were connected with someone in urgent need of help. Olivia Marks, Vogue, 16 Dec. 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Urgent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/urgent. Accessed 21 Dec. 2025.

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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