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

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › english

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   Learn the meaning of critical in English with different contexts and usage. Find out how to use critical as an adjective to describe something bad, wrong, important, serious, or serious, or as a noun to refer to a judgment or opinion.

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

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › critical

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

4. dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionaryCRITICAL | definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionary

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   Learn the meaning of critical as an adjective in different contexts, such as being not pleased, giving opinions, important, serious, or disapproving. See how to use critical in sentences and phrases with synonyms and antonyms.

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

   www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › critical

   adjective. characterized by careful evaluation and judgment. “a critical reading” “a critical dissertation” “a critical analysis of Melville's writings” synonyms: appraising, evaluative. exercising or involving careful evaluations. discriminative, judicial. expressing careful judgment. discerning. having or revealing keen insight and good judgment.

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

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › english

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   Learn the meaning, pronunciation and examples of the adjective critical, which can express disapproval, importance, seriousness or judgement. Find synonyms, collocations and related words for critical in the Oxford dictionary.

7. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › learner-englishMeaning of critical – Learner’s Dictionary - Cambridge Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › learner-english

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   Learn the meaning of critical as an adjective and an adverb, with synonyms and translations. Find out how to use critical to describe something bad, wrong, important, serious, or opinionated.

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

   www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english

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   Learn the various meanings and uses of the word critical, such as important, serious, negative, or analytical. See synonyms, pronunciation, examples, and grammar tips for critical.

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

   www.thefreedictionary.com › critical

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   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 criticism; reflecting careful analysis and judgment: a critical appreciation of the filmmaker's work. b. Of, relating to, or characteristic of critics: a play that received great critical acclaim.

10. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › american_englishcritical adjective - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and...

    www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › american_english

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    Learn the meaning, pronunciation, and examples of the adjective critical, which can express disapproval, importance, or judgment. Compare critical with similar words such as important, crucial, decisive, and more.

11. www.britannica.com › dictionary › criticalCritical Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary

    www.britannica.com › dictionary › critical

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    Learn the various meanings and uses of the word critical, from expressing disapproval to relating to judgments of critics. Find out the difference between critical and irony, and how to use critical in a sentence.