Want to say critical differently? Here are other words for critical and its similar synonyms and opposite words to say in unique way.
Meaning of critical
Having a decisive or crucial role in the success or failure of something
Etymology of critical
The word "critical" originated from the Greek word "kritikos", meaning "able to discern or judge", which is derived from the word "krinein", meaning "to separate, distinguish, or judge"
The word has been used in English since the 16th century to describe something that is crucial or decisive in nature
Over time, the word has taken on additional meanings, including being severely disapproving or condemnatory
Synonyms
crucial
essential
vital
important
significant
pivotal
decisive
key
fundamental
central
major
significant
serious
severe
acute
urgent
pressing
necessary
indispensable
requisite
imperative
mandatory
compulsory
obligatory
exigent
imperative
vitalistic
analytical
discerning
evaluative
judgmental
penetrative
perceptive
percipient
sensitive
severe
stringent
trenchant
urgent
vital
serious
grave
solemn
somber
stern
critical
exacting
demanding
fastidious
meticulous
precise
scrupulous
strict
thorough
careful
conscientious
painstaking
searching
thoroughgoing
tough
unsparing
unyielding
vital
indispensable
necessary
required
compulsory
mandatory
obligatory
binding
coercive
forced
imperative
involuntary
required
unavoidable
essential
fundamental
leading
main
primary
principal
chief
cardinal
essential
pivotal
prime
capital
dominant
paramount
preeminent
supreme
vital
decisive
determining
influential
shaping
crucial
fateful
momentous
significant
vital
consequential
eventful
historic
monumental
notable
noteworthy
remarkable
weighty
considerable
substantial
material
grave
solemn
somber
severe
serious
critical
life-or-death
perilous
precarious
pressing
urgent
vital
existential
imperative
mandatory
necessary
obligatory
required
acute
critical
dire
emergency
emergent
essential
imperative
instant
necessary
pressing
severe
sudden
urgent
vital
crucial
essential
fundamental
important
necessary
pivotal
required
significant
vital
analytical
critical
diagnostic
discerning
evaluative
inquisitive
inquiring
judgmental
perceptive
questioning
probing
penetrative
severe
trenchant
urgent
vital
vitalistic
acute
critical
crucial
dire
emergency
essential
exigent
imperative
instant
necessary
pressing
severe
sudden
urgent
vital
decisive
determinative
fateful
influential
momentous
pivotal
portentous
significant
vital
weighty
considerable
substantial
material
grave
solemn
somber
severe
serious
vital
analytical
critical
exacting
fastidious
meticulous
precise
scrupulous
strict
thorough
vital
careful
conscientious
discerning
evaluative
inquisitive
inquiring
judgmental
perceptive
penetrative
searching
severe
thoroughgoing
tough
urgent
vital
vitalistic
Definitions
- Having a decisive or crucial role in the success or failure of something
- Involving or exercising careful judgment or evaluation
- Being at a point of crisis or great danger
- Severely disapproving or condemnatory
Usage Examples
- The critical moment in the game was when the team scored the winning goal
- The doctor's critical evaluation of the patient's condition helped to save their life
- The company is at a critical point in its development and needs to make some tough decisions
- The food critic's critical review of the restaurant was harsh but fair
Antonyms
unimportant
insignificant
minor
trivial
inconsequential
unnecessary
optional
voluntary
nonessential
dispensable
irrelevant
immaterial
unvital
noncritical
uncritical
unanalytical
undemanding
lenient
lax
casual
careless
indifferent
apathetic
uninterested
unconcerned
nonchalant
blase
unenthusiastic
lukewarm
halfhearted
uncommitted
uninvolved
detached
unresponsive
unsympathetic
unmoved
unaffected
impervious
insensitive
unconcerned
unbothered
unworried
untroubled
serene
tranquil
calm
peaceful
uneventful
stable
secure
safe
certain
assured
guaranteed
unperilous
unthreatening
unhazardous
nonhazardous
riskless
harmless
innocuous
innoxious
nonpoisonous
nonvenomous
nonvirulent
noninfectious
unobjectionable
unexceptionable
inoffensive