| adjective | marked by a tendency to find and call attention to errors and flaws “a critical attitude” |
| adjective | at or of a point at which a property or phenomenon suffers an abrupt change especially having enough mass to sustain a chain reaction “a critical temperature of water is 100 degrees C--its boiling point at standard atmospheric pressure” |
| adjective | characterized by careful evaluation and judgment “a critical reading” |
| adjective | urgently needed; absolutely necessary “a critical element of the plan” |
| adjective | forming or having the nature of a turning point or crisis “a critical point in the campaign” |
| adjective | being in or verging on a state of crisis or emergency “a critical shortage of food” |
| adjective | of or involving or characteristic of critics or criticism “critical acclaim” |
| critic | noun | someone who frequently finds fault or makes harsh and unfair judgments |
| criticism | noun | disapproval expressed by pointing out faults or shortcomings |
| criticality | noun | a critical state; especially the point at which a nuclear reaction is self-sustaining |
| criticalness | noun | a state of critical urgency |
| vitalness | noun | the quality possessed by something that you cannot possibly do without |
| crisis | noun | an unstable situation of extreme danger or difficulty |
| decisiveness | noun | the quality of being final or definitely settled |