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1. Dictionary

   Crit·i·cal

   /ˈkridək(ə)l/

   

   adjective

   • 1. expressing adverse or disapproving comments or judgments: "he was critical of many U.S. welfare programs" Similar censoriouscondemnatorycondemningcastigatoryreprovingdenunciatorydeprecatorydisparagingdisapprovingscathingcriticizingfault-findingjudgmentalnegativeunfavorableunsympathetichypercriticalultra-criticalovercriticalpedanticpettifoggingcavillingcarpingquibblingnigglingpass-remarkableinformal:nitpickinghairsplittingpickygripingbitchingbellyachingwhingeingpernicketypersnicketyrare:reprobatoryreprobativeOpposite complimentary
   • 2. expressing or involving an analysis of the merits and faults of a work of literature, music, or art: "she never won the critical acclaim she sought" Similar evaluativeanalyticanalyticalinterpretativeexpositorycommentativeexplanatoryexplicativeelucidative
   • ▪ (of a published literary or musical text) incorporating a detailed and scholarly analysis and commentary: "a critical edition of a Bach sonata"
   • ▪ involving the objective analysis and evaluation of an issue in order to form a judgement: "professors often find it difficult to encourage critical thinking in their students"
   • 3. (of a situation or problem) having the potential to become disastrous; at a point of crisis: "the flood waters had not receded, and the situation was still critical" Similar graveseriousdangerousriskyperiloushazardousprecarioustouch-and-goin the balanceuncertaindesperatedireacutevery badlife-and-deathlife-threateninginformal:chancydiceyhairyiffydodgyarchaic, humorous:parlousperacuteprofoundrare:egregiousOpposite safe
   • ▪ (of a person) extremely ill and at risk of death: "he had been in critical condition since undergoing surgery"
   • ▪ having a decisive or crucial importance in the success, failure, or existence of something: "temperature is a critical factor in successful fruit storage" Similar crucialvitalessentialof the essenceall-importantimportantof the utmost importanceof great consequencehigh-priorityparamountpreeminentfundamentalkeypivotaldecidingdecisiveclimactericmomentousseriousurgentpressingcompellingexigentOpposite unimportant
   • 4. relating to or denoting a point of transition from one state to another: "if the density is less than a certain critical value the gravitational attraction will be too weak to halt the expansion"
   • 5. (of a nuclear reactor or fuel) maintaining a self-sustaining chain reaction: "the reactor is due to go critical in October"

   Word Origin mid 16th century (in the sense ‘relating to the crisis of a disease’): from late Latin criticus (see critic).

   Derivatives

   • 1. criticalness noun

   Scrabble Points: 12

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2. www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › criticalCritical Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › critical

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   Jul 4, 2012 · The meaning of CRITICAL is inclined to criticize severely and unfavorably. How to use critical in a sentence. Synonym Discussion of Critical.

3. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › englishCRITICAL | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › english

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   CRITICAL definition: 1. saying that someone or something is bad or wrong: 2. giving or relating to opinions or…. Learn more.

4. www.dictionary.com › browse › criticalCRITICAL Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com › browse › critical

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   involving criticism, or skillful judgment as to truth, merit, etc.: The article provides a critical analysis of the Gulf War. Synonyms: precise, exact, judicious, discriminating. occupied with or skilled in criticism: She was one of the great critical journalists of the 20th century.

5. www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › criticalCritical - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com

   www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › critical

   being in or verging on a state of crisis or emergency. “a critical shortage of food”. “a critical illness”. “an illness at the critical stage”. synonyms: acute. of critical importance and consequence. dangerous, grave, grievous, life-threatening, serious, severe. causing fear or anxiety by threatening great harm.

6. dictionary.cambridge.org › english › criticalCRITICAL | definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › english › critical

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   CRITICAL meaning: 1. saying that someone or something is bad or wrong: 2. giving or relating to opinions or…. Learn more.

7. www.collinsdictionary.com › english › criticalCRITICAL definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

   www.collinsdictionary.com › english › critical

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   (krɪtɪkəl ) 1. adjective B2. A critical time, factor, or situation is extremely important. The incident happened at a critical point in the campaign. Environmentalists say a critical factor in the city's pollution is its population. He says setting priorities is of critical importance.

8. dictionary.cambridge.org › criticalCRITICAL | meaning - Cambridge Learner's Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › critical

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   CRITICAL definition: 1. saying that someone or something is bad or wrong: 2. very important for the way things will…. Learn more.