Critically — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective adverb /ˈkri-ti-kəl/ crit·i·cal

Meaning & Definition of Critically

Critically (adjective)

  1. inclined to criticize severely and unfavorably
  2. consisting of or involving criticism
  3. of or relating to the judgment of critics

Critically (adverb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in negatively, cynically

    similar: captiously, cynically, deprecatingly, disapprovingly, disparagingly, negatively, reproachfully, reproachingly, reprovingly, unfavorably, charily, guardedly, warily, anxiously, apprehensively, uncomfortably, uneasily, hesitantly, hesitatingly, incredulously, questioningly, quizzically, unbelievingly, askance, distrustfully, doubtfully, doubtingly, dubiously, mistrustfully, sideways, skeptically, suspiciously
    opposite: trustfully, trustingly, approvingly, favorably, positively, confidently, sanguinely, credulously, uncritically, unquestioningly

Related Entry: Critical (adjective)

Critical is a different word from Critically. The synonyms below are for critical, not for critically.

  1. given to making or expressing unfavorable judgments about things

    "adults tend to be critical of teenagers' taste in music and movies"

    similar: captious, carping, caviling, faultfinding, hypercritical, judgmental, overcritical, rejective
    related: discerning, discriminating, judicious, demanding, exacting, fastidious, finical, finicky, fussy, nitpicky, particular, picky, pettifogging, quibbling, harsh, merciless, uncharitable, unforgiving
    opposite: uncritical
    near: undiscriminating, undemanding, unfussy, charitable, forgiving

  2. needing immediate attention

    "this problem isn't critical, so we can go home now and tend to it in the morning"

    similar: acute, burning, clamant, compelling, crying, dire, emergent, exigent, imperative, imperious, importunate, instant, necessitous, pressing, urgent
    related: demanding, extreme, immediate, insistent, intense, overriding, crucial, desperate, grave, life-and-death, serious, severe, vital, dangerous, explosive, hazardous, perilous, precarious, unstable
    opposite: noncritical, nonurgent
    near: incidental, low-pressure, minor, negligible, trivial, unimportant, nonthreatening, safe, stable

  3. of the greatest possible importance

    "this is the critical exam that will largely determine your college career"

    similar: crucial, key, pivotal, vital
    related: decisive, life-and-death, weighty, basic, elementary, fundamental, essential, indispensable, instrumental, necessary, requisite, pressing, urgent
    near: inconsequential, insignificant, minor, trivial, unimportant

  4. impossible to do without

    "critical information for an informed medical diagnosis"

    similar: all-important, essential, imperative, indispensable, integral, must-have, necessary, necessitous, needed, needful, required, requisite, vital, of the essence
    related: prerequisite, compulsory, mandatory, nonelective, obligatory, consequential, crucial, important, major, material, meaningful, momentous, significant, substantial, weighty, basic, central, fundamental, key, organic, insistent, persistent, pressing, urgent
    opposite: dispensable, inessential, needless, nonessential, unessential, unnecessary, unneeded
    near: undesired, unwanted, inconsequential, insignificant, unimportant, excess, external, extra, extraneous, superfluous, surplus

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Critically

The most common words with a similar meaning to Critically:

captiously, cynically, deprecatingly, disapprovingly, disparagingly, negatively, reproachfully, reproachingly, reprovingly, unfavorably, charily, guardedly, warily, anxiously, apprehensively, uncomfortably, uneasily, hesitantly, hesitatingly, incredulously, questioningly, quizzically, unbelievingly, askance, distrustfully, doubtfully, doubtingly, dubiously, mistrustfully, sideways, skeptically, suspiciously

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Critically

Words with the opposite meaning of Critically:

trustfully, trustingly, approvingly, favorably, positively, confidently, sanguinely, credulously, uncritically, unquestioningly

Word Forms of Critically

Derived words: critically (adverb), criticalness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Critically

in sense "being at a turning point," from 16th-17th century cretike, criticke "at a turning point" (Middle English cretic, borrowed from Late Latin criticus "at a turning point, decisive," borrowed from Greek kritikós, taken as derivative of krísis crisis, replacing earlier krísimos) + -al:1; in sense "inclined to criticize, involving criticism," from critic:1 + -al:1 critic:1

First known use: 1556

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Critically

Frequently Asked Questions about Critically

What does "Critically" mean?

"Critically" means inclined to criticize severely and unfavorably. As an an adjective and an adverb, it is defined as: inclined to criticize severely and unfavorably.

What is another word for "Critically"?

Other words for "Critically" include captiously, cynically, deprecatingly, disapprovingly, disparagingly, negatively, reproachfully and reproachingly. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Critically" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Critically"?

There are 32 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Critically". Common alternatives include captiously, cynically, deprecatingly, disapprovingly, disparagingly, negatively, reproachfully, reproachingly, reprovingly and unfavorably.

What is the opposite of "Critically"?

Antonyms of "Critically" include trustfully, trustingly, approvingly, favorably, positively, confidently, sanguinely and credulously.

Is "Critically" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Critically" can be used as an adjective and an adverb, depending on the context.

Is "Critically" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Critically" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+.

How do you pronounce "Critically"?

"Critically" is pronounced /ˈkri-ti-kəl/ and divided into syllables as crit·i·cal.

What is the origin of the word "Critically"?

"Critically" comes from in sense "being at a turning point," from 16th-17th century cretike, criticke "at a turning point" (Middle English cretic, borrowed from Late Latin criticus "at a turning point, decisive," borrowed from Greek kritikós, taken as derivative of krísis crisis, replacing earlier krísimos) + -al:1; in sense "inclined to criticize, involving criticism," from critic:1 + -al:1 critic:1. First known use: 1556.