Critically

//ˈkɹɪt.ɪk.li// adv

adv ·Uncommon ·Advanced level

Definitions

Adverb
  1. 1
    In a critical manner; with, or in terms of, criticism.

    "I looked critically at the frayed carpet of the hotel room."

  2. 2
    In terms of critique, review, of or by critics

    "a critically applauded film"

  3. 3
    With close discernment; accurately; exactly.

    "Thus difficult it is to underſtand the purity of Engliſh, and critically to diſcern not only good Writers from bad, and a proper ſtile from a corrupt, but alſo to diſtinguiſh that which is pure in a good Author, from that which is vicious and corrupt in him."

  4. 4
    At a crisis or critical time; in a situation, place, or condition of decisive consequence.

    "a fortification critically situated"

  5. 5
    Requiring immediate attention; likely to cause a collapse.

    "critically ill"

Adverb
  1. 1
    in a critical manner wordnet

Synonyms

All synonyms
askancebadlyparticularlyseriouslyseverelyunfavorably

Example

More examples

"A critically wounded elephant went berserk and attacked every living thing in his path."

Etymology

From critical + -ly.

Related phrases

critically dampedcritically endangered

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Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.