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.
On the other hand, rushing into a sale due to burnout or urgent needs may force you to settle for less. Anatoly Iofe, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025 His aversion to confrontation is outweighed by the urgent need for triage. Susan Morrison, The New Yorker, 13 Jan. 2025 Piper Sandler upgrades Douglas Emmett to overweight from neutral The firm thinks the real estate investment trust may benefit from the wildfire damage with an urgent need for office space. Michael Bloom, CNBC, 13 Jan. 2025 No one buys solar systems to address an urgent need. Brendan I. Koerner, WIRED, 13 Jan. 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

Dictionary Entries Near urgent

Cite this Entry

“Urgent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/urgent. Accessed 20 Jan. 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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