critically

[krit-ik-lee]

adverb

1. in a judgmental or disapproving manner.

   The backlash was immediate after he spoke critically of his opponent’s personal life.

2. in a manner involving skillful analysis of merit, as of a decision or work of art or literature: critically admired novels.

   a critically sanctioned project;

   critically admired novels.

3. to a devastating degree, leading to or reaching a crisis.

   As floodwaters rise, we are critically lacking sandbags and evacuation transport.

4. seriously or extremely, as of a gravely unstable medical condition: a critically ill pneumonia patient.

   critically injured;

   a critically ill pneumonia patient.

5. with decisive or essential importance with respect to the outcome; crucially; indispensably.

   The success of this experiment critically relies on optimal weather.

Other Word Forms

• noncritically adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of critically¹

First recorded in 1645–55; critical ( def. ) + -ly ( def. )

Example Sentences

Police are still investigating the cause of the crash, which killed at least 17 people and injured 20 more, some critically, near Lisbon's Avenida da Liberdade in the Portuguese capital.

From BBC

At least 15 people have been killed and 18 more injured, some critically, local authorities have said.

From BBC

Both books were critically acclaimed bestsellers, and established Gay as a literary lodestar.

From Los Angeles Times

Lammy also reiterated the government's commitment to bring critically injured Gazan children to to the UK for specialist NHS treatment, with the first patients set to arrive in the coming weeks.

From BBC

The education secretary said that while attendance improved last year, absence levels "remain critically high, putting at risk the life chances of a whole generation of young people".

From BBC

Related Words

• acutely 
• badly 
• dangerously www.thesaurus.com
• extremely 
• firmly 
• markedly 
• painfully www.thesaurus.com
• seriously 
• sharply www.thesaurus.com
• sorely 
• sternly 
• strictly