urgent

[ur-juhnt]

adjective

1. compelling or requiring immediate action or attention; dire; pressing.

   an urgent matter.

   Synonyms: desperate, imperative

2. insistent or earnest in solicitation; importunate, as a person.

   an urgent pleader.

3. expressed with insistence, as requests or appeals.

   an urgent tone of voice.

urgent

/ ˈɜːdʒənsɪ, ˈɜːdʒənt /

adjective

1. requiring or compelling speedy action or attention

   the matter is urgent

   an urgent message

2. earnest and persistent

Other Word Forms

• urgency noun
• urgently adverb
• nonurgent adjective
• superurgent adjective
• unurgent adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of urgent¹

First recorded in 1490–1500; from Latin urgent- (stem of urgēns ), present participle of urgēre “to press, force, drive”; urge, -ent

Word History and Origins

Origin of urgent¹

C15: via French from Latin urgent-, urgens, present participle of urgēre to _urge

Example Sentences

But at the Energy UK conference, industry bosses urged the UK government to take urgent action to reduce the costs of electricity for households and businesses.

Read more on BBC

Current medications can help ease symptoms but do not stop or reverse the underlying disease, highlighting the urgent need for new therapeutic approaches.

Read more on Science Daily

There are increasingly urgent concerns about massive capital spending, soaring valuations, high debt levels and the circular nature of AI firms pouring money into other AI firms.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Zoe and Kester want urgent action to ensure better monitoring of all gambling establishments and fewer opening on the high streets.

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The council said it had contacted the mosque to "seek urgent clarification" after reports about age and gender restrictions.

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Related Words

• compelling 
• critical 
• crucial 
• demanding 
• essential 
• immediate 
• imperative 
• important 
• indispensable 
• necessary 
• persuasive 
• pressing 
• serious 
• vital 
• weighty