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crit·i·cal

critical

 
 
pronunciation:
krI tih kl
features:
Word Combinations (adjective), Word Parts
part of speech: adjective
definition 1: tending to make severe judgments or to find fault.
Her mother-in-law was so critical that it seemed impossible please her.Many citizens became critical of the government and demanded reforms.
synonyms:
censorious, faultfinding, harsh, hypercritical, severe, strict
antonyms:
complimentary, uncritical
similar words:
demanding, fastidious, meticulous, negative, niggling, picky, rigid, rigorous, stringent, unfavorable
definition 2: expressing a negative judgement.
The review had some good things to say about the restaurant, but most of its comments were critical.Her professor's critical remarks about her paper came as a disappointing surprise to her.
antonyms:
complimentary, laudatory
definition 3: characterized by or involving careful and exact analysis and evaluation.
Scientific research requires critical thinking.
synonyms:
analytic, discriminating, evaluative, investigative
similar words:
discerning, exact, meticulous, painstaking, scrupulous, serious, systematic
definition 4: of the nature of a crisis; being at the very highest point of danger but still allowing the possibility of a positive outcome.
She's in the hospital and her condition is considered critical.
synonyms:
dangerous, grave, touch-and-go
antonyms:
mild
similar words:
acute, desperate, dire, hazardous, perilous, risky, serious, uncertain, vital
definition 5: extremely important.
It is critical that you understand these instructions; making a mistake could have dangerous consequences.The testimony of this witness is critical to the case for the defense.
synonyms:
crucial, essential, grave, pivotal, vital
antonyms:
unimportant
similar words:
fatal, fundamental, imperative, important, indispensable, momentous, necessary, significant
definition 6: in physics, of a state just preceding a nuclear reaction.
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derivation: critically (adv.)
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