critically

[krit-ik-lee]

adverb

1. in a judgmental or disapproving manner.

   The backlash was immediate after he spoke critically of his opponent’s personal life.

2. in a manner involving skillful analysis of merit, as of a decision or work of art or literature: critically admired novels.

   a critically sanctioned project;

   critically admired novels.

3. to a devastating degree, leading to or reaching a crisis.

   As floodwaters rise, we are critically lacking sandbags and evacuation transport.

4. seriously or extremely, as of a gravely unstable medical condition: a critically ill pneumonia patient.

   critically injured;

   a critically ill pneumonia patient.

5. with decisive or essential importance with respect to the outcome; crucially; indispensably.

   The success of this experiment critically relies on optimal weather.

Other Word Forms

• noncritically adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of critically¹

First recorded in 1645–55; critical ( def. ) + -ly ( def. )

Example Sentences

"I was haemorrhaging every couple of weeks, my iron levels were critically low and I had no energy to do anything," she said.

From BBC

It’s been a steady climb thus far — just continuous momentum, one critically adored album after another, until bam: They’re playing the Bowl the night before John Legend.

From Los Angeles Times

Two detainees have died and another is critically injured after a suspected sniper opened fire at an immigration detention centre in Dallas, Texas, officials say.

From BBC

“I’ve had a career of making classic movies that weren’t critically received and those movies went on to be CLASSICS. So don’t take anyone’s opinion just go see for yourself,” Wayans added.

From Los Angeles Times

The ongoing water shortage on the Colorado River, where reservoirs are approaching critically low levels, is expected to force additional reductions in water use in the Southwest in the coming years.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• acutely 
• badly 
• dangerously www.thesaurus.com
• extremely 
• firmly 
• markedly 
• painfully www.thesaurus.com
• seriously 
• sharply www.thesaurus.com
• sorely 
• sternly 
• strictly