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1. Dictionary

   critical

   /ˈkrɪtɪkl/

   adjective

   • 1. expressing adverse or disapproving comments or judgements: "I was very critical of the previous regime" Similar censoriouscondemnatorycondemningcastigatoryreprovingdenunciatorydeprecatorydisparagingdisapprovingscathingcriticizingfault-findingjudgementalnegativeunfavourableunsympathetichypercriticalultra-criticalovercriticalpedanticpettifoggingcavillingcarpingquibblingnigglingpass-remarkableinformal:nitpickinghair-splittingpickygripingbitchingbellyachingwhingeingpernicketypersnicketyrare: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 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 amongst their students"
   • 3. (of a situation or problem) having the potential to become disastrous; at a point of crisis: "the floodwaters had not receded and the situation was still critical" Similar graveseriousdangerousriskyperiloushazardousprecarioustouch-and-goin the balanceuncertaindesperatedireacutevery badlife-and-deathlife-threateninginformal:chancydiceyhairyiffydodgyarchaic, humorous:parlousperacuteprofoundrare:egregiousOpposite safe
   • ▪ extremely ill and at risk of death: "she was critical but stable in Middlesbrough General Hospital"
   • ▪ 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-priorityparamountpre-eminentfundamentalkeypivotaldecidingdecisiveclimactericmomentousseriousurgentpressingcompellingexigentOpposite 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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   More definitions, origin and scrabble points

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. www.merriam-webster.com › thesaurus › criticalCRITICAL Synonyms: 130 Similar and Opposite Words - ...

   www.merriam-webster.com › thesaurus › critical

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   Synonyms for CRITICAL: particular, demanding, rejective, judgmental, hypercritical, overcritical, captious, faultfinding; Antonyms of CRITICAL: uncritical, undiscriminating, charitable, undemanding, forgiving, unfussy, minor, trivial.

5. 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.

6. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › englishcritical adjective - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › english

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

7. www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › englishCRITICAL definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

   www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english

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   If a person is critical or in a critical condition in hospital, they are seriously ill. Ten of the injured are said to be in critical condition. Synonyms: grave , serious , dangerous , acute More Synonyms of critical

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

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › learner-english

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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.

9. www.ldoceonline.com › dictionary › criticalcritical | meaning of critical in Longman Dictionary of...

   www.ldoceonline.com › dictionary › critical

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   critical meaning, definition, what is critical: if you are critical, you criticize someo...: Learn more.

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

    www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › critical

    If you're an emergency-room doctor with a patient in critical condition (on the highest alert), it's absolutely critical (vital or essential) that you be critical (careful and judicious) in your approach to their care, so that at the critical (decisive) moment, you can save their life.

11. www.thefreedictionary.com › criticalCritical - definition of critical by The Free Dictionary

    www.thefreedictionary.com › critical

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    Define critical. critical synonyms, critical pronunciation, critical translation, English dictionary definition of critical. adj. 1. Judging severely and finding fault: a writer who is very critical of the government's foreign policy. 2. a. Relating to or characterized by...