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.
Still, when she does deign to speak, there’s a dynamite scene where she dresses down Julian critically and psychologically.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026
“More credible steps toward de-escalation are finally emerging, critically including on Iran’s side,” Westpac Strategy Group said in commentary.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026
You’ll find everything from red pandas to critically endangered black-and-white ruffed lemurs.
From Salon • Mar. 31, 2026
Meningitis is a horrific disease that can take people from the peak of life and health to critically ill within hours, but it is still rare.
From BBC • Mar. 27, 2026
‘Yes,’ murmured Cilia, looking at him critically, ‘you’re right, baby dear. His ears are red. That always means he’s mad.’
From "Johnny Tremain" by Esther Hoskins Forbes
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.
