critically
Americanadverb
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in a judgmental or disapproving manner.
The backlash was immediate after he spoke critically of his opponent’s personal life.
-
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.
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to a devastating degree, leading to or reaching a crisis.
As floodwaters rise, we are critically lacking sandbags and evacuation transport.
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seriously or extremely, as of a gravely unstable medical condition: a critically ill pneumonia patient.
critically injured;
a critically ill pneumonia patient.
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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
Etymology
Origin of critically
First recorded in 1645–55; critical ( def. ) + -ly ( def. )
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
An attorney — not the one currently holding POA — could assess whether your relative has the capacity to revoke or challenge an agent and, critically, has the right to choose their own residence or care.
From MarketWatch
Authorities said Binance critically undermined the U.S. blockade on Iran’s economy, allowing U.S. users to make transactions worth over $898 million with Iranian users despite sanctions that bar financial institutions from transacting there.
Ronald Smith, a retired actuary who has written critically about the service, argues that the push reflects industry economics as much as participant outcomes.
From MarketWatch
"This proposal was not supported by stakeholders, and critically would not fundamentally improve teaching and learning, raise standards or reduce workload, so it will not be pursued at this time," the department said.
From BBC
Most critically, when you walk out the door, your AI-enhanced capabilities walk with you.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
