urgent

adjective

ur·​gent ˈər-jənt How to pronounce urgent (audio)
Synonyms of urgent
1
a
: calling for immediate attention : pressing
urgent appeals
problems of an urgent nature
an urgent need
b
: conveying a sense of urgency
an urgent voice
2
: urging insistently : importunate
an urgent lover
urgently adverb

Synonyms of urgent

Relevance
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Examples of urgent in a Sentence

We've come to deliver an urgent message. an urgent appeal for assistance He addressed us in an urgent manner. An urgent voice came over the intercom, telling us to leave the building immediately.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The extent to which AI algorithms generate the equivalent of human thoughts and feelings is a philosophical question that may never be resolved, but understanding exactly how AI systems work is a practical and urgent goal. — Foreign Affairs, 10 Aug. 2026 Roberts fielded plenty of questions about items that had rarely seemed urgent before. — Angela Haupt, Time, 10 Aug. 2026 Without a personal vision statement, we can be pulled by urgent emails, market pressures and other people’s expectations. — Catherine Bell, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026 But in gridlock emergencies, timely, urgent reports from people baptized in the traffic beat make a large difference. — Doug Turnbull, AJC.com, 9 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for urgent

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin urgent-, urgens, present participle of urgēre

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of urgent was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing urgent

Rhymes for urgent

See All Rhymes for urgent

Browse Nearby Words

urgency
urgent
urgent care
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Cite this Entry

“Urgent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/urgent. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

urgent

adjective
ur·​gent ˈər-jənt How to pronounce urgent (audio)
1
a
: calling for immediate attention : pressing
an urgent need for food
b
: indicating an urgent desire or need
an urgent manner
2
: urging very earnestly
urgently adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on urgent

Nglish: Translation of urgent for Spanish Speakers

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