pressing

adjective

press·​ing ˈpre-siŋ 

1

: urgently important : critical

a pressing issue

2

: earnest, warm

pressingly

ˈpre-siŋ-lē 

adverb

Synonyms

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

Examples of pressing in a Sentence

a pressing need for reform

she had pressing business on the other side of town

Recent Examples on the Web

But Russia’s shadow fleet may now present a more pressing danger to the West. —Michael Schwirtz, New York Times, 28 Dec. 2024

Here are a few of the most pressing pieces of holiday legislation: Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act Celebrity singer and actress Paris Hilton has spent months pushing for a federal law that will hold treatment centers and care facilities serving youth accountable. —Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 24 Dec. 2024

But many of the show’s U.S. counterparts have fallen short, even as real-life issues of national security have seldom felt more pressing. —Inkoo Kang, The New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2024

There will be times when you will get sidetracked, and other work obligations may feel more pressing—but don’t lose sight of the mission and passion to start this new ERG. —Expert Panel®, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1591, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing pressing

• flesh-pressing

Kids Definition

pressing

adjective

press·​ing ˈpres-iŋ 

: needing one's immediate attention

a pressing issue

pressingly

-iŋ-lē 

adverb