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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. dictionary.cambridge.org › learner-english › criticalCRITICAL | definition in the Cambridge Learner’s Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › learner-english › critical

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

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

   www.dictionary.com › browse › critical

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   Critical definition: inclined to find fault or to judge with severity, often too readily. See examples of CRITICAL used in a sentence.

4. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › criticalcritical adjective - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and ...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › critical

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   Definition of critical adjective in Oxford Advanced American Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

5. www.britannica.com › topic › critical-thinkingCritical thinking | Definition, History, Criticism, & Skills

   www.britannica.com › topic › critical-thinking

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   Jun 13, 2024 · critical thinking, in educational theory, mode of cognition using deliberative reasoning and impartial scrutiny of information to arrive at a possible solution to a problem.

6. dictionary.cambridge.org › us › thesaurusCRITICAL - 50 Synonyms and Antonyms - Cambridge English

   dictionary.cambridge.org › us › thesaurus

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   critical. adjective. These are words and phrases related to critical. Click on any word or phrase to go to its thesaurus page. Or, go to the definition of critical. Don't be so critical of everyone else.

7. www.betterwordsonline.com › dictionary › criticalCritical - Definition, Meaning, Synonyms & Etymology

   www.betterwordsonline.com › dictionary › critical

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   Dictionary definition of critical. Referring to a high degree of importance or significance attributed to something. "The patient's condition was critical, requiring immediate medical intervention." Detailed meaning of critical.

8. www.criticalthinking.org › pages › critical-thinking-where-toCritical Thinking: Where to Begin

   www.criticalthinking.org › pages › critical-thinking-where-to

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   "Critical thinking is the intellectually disciplined process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information gathered from, or generated by, observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication, as a guide to belief and action.

9. thewordcounter.com › meaning-of-criticalWhat Does Critical Mean? | The Word Counter

   thewordcounter.com › meaning-of-critical

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   Aug 23, 2021 · What does the word critical mean? According to Collins English Dictionary and the American Heritage Unabridged Dictionary of the English language, the word critical is an adjective that describes something that is extremely important or vital, or serious and dangerous.

10. dictionary.cambridge.org › criticalCRITICAL definition | Cambridge Essential American Dictionary

    dictionary.cambridge.org › critical

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    saying that someone or something is bad or wrong: He is very critical of the way I work. very important for the way things will happen in the future: a critical decision. very serious or dangerous: The doctors said her condition was critical. critically. adverb. They were both critically injured in the crash.

11. www.wordnik.com › words › criticalcritical - definition and meaning - Wordnik

    www.wordnik.com › words › critical

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    Formed, situated, or tending to determine or decide; important or essential for determining: as, critical evidence; a critical post. Being in a condition of extreme doubt or danger; attended with peril or risk; dangerous; hazardous: as, a critical undertaking.