critically
critically — adverb
1. in a state where someone is so badly hurt, sick, or damaged that they may die or
in a state where someone is so badly hurt, sick, or damaged that they may die or be destroyed
Romi was critically injured in the car accident and taken straight to the emergency room.
critically + past participle (injured/ill/wounded)
The hospital reported that six patients were critically ill with the new virus.
The critically endangered sea turtle now has fewer than a hundred nesting females left.
critically endangered — IUCN conservation status
Doctors warned that Mert's breathing had become critically unstable during the night.
- critically ill
- critically injured
- critically endangered
- critically wounded
- dangerously
broader — can apply to any risky situation, not just health
- gravely
more formal, often used in official statements ('gravely wounded')
Usage Note
Frequently paired with past participles describing physical states: injured, ill, wounded, burned. Also used in conservation science before endangered.
Common Mistakes
2. having such great importance that the whole outcome of a situation depends on it
having such great importance that the whole outcome of a situation depends on it
Haruto knew it was critically important to submit the application before the Friday deadline.
critically + adjective (important/necessary/needed)
The new vaccine is critically needed in regions where the disease spreads fastest.
Talia's research proved critically important for understanding how the virus mutates.
Tara's experience with budgeting was critically important to the success of the project.
- critically important
- critically needed
- critically necessary
- critically essential
- vitally
interchangeable in most contexts ('vitally important')
- desperately
stronger emotional tone, often with 'needed'
- slightly
opposite degree of importance
Usage Note
Almost always modifies adjectives of importance (important, necessary, needed, essential) rather than verbs. Never used with trivial adjectives (critically small, critically tall).
Common Mistakes
3. by looking at something carefully, considering what works well and what does not
by looking at something carefully, considering what works well and what does not, before reaching a judgement
Students in the seminar learned to read critically and form their own arguments.
critically + verb of examination (read/examine/review)
Apinya looked critically at the proposal before deciding whether to support it.
The committee will critically review every application before offering any places.
Chiara examined the painting critically, noting both its strengths and its weaknesses.
A good manager listens critically to feedback without rejecting it too quickly.
- think critically
- read critically
- examine critically
- look at something critically
- review critically
- analytically
more academic in tone, focuses on breaking down into parts
- objectively
emphasises fairness and lack of bias, not necessarily examining both sides
- thoughtfully
broader — can mean careful in a less structured way
- uncritically
accepting without questioning
- impulsively
acting without careful thought
Usage Note
Describes the manner of thinking or examining, not the conclusion. The focus is on the careful process rather than whether the outcome is positive or negative.
Common Mistakes
4. by expressing disapproval of someone or something, especially by pointing out fa
by expressing disapproval of someone or something, especially by pointing out faults
The newspaper report spoke critically about the government's handling of the flood relief effort.
speak/write critically + of/about + noun phrase
Several parents spoke critically of the school board's decision to cut music classes.
Tariro looked critically at her brother's messy room and said nothing.
The food blogger wrote critically about the restaurant, calling the service slow and unfriendly.
- speak critically of
- write critically about
- talk critically about
- look critically at
- disapprovingly
more direct about the negative judgement
- negatively
broader — can describe any unfavourable treatment
- harshly
stronger, suggests the criticism is severe
- approvingly
expressing positive judgement
- favourably
describing something in a positive light
Usage Note
Often followed by of or about to introduce the target of the criticism. Distinct from sense 3 (ANALYTICAL THINKING), which describes careful analysis; this sense describes expressing a negative judgement.
Common Mistakes
5. as judged by professional reviewers who write opinions about books, films, plays
as judged by professional reviewers who write opinions about books, films, plays, music, or art
The novel was critically acclaimed and won several international literary awards.
critically + past participle (acclaimed/praised/dismissed)
Joaquín's first exhibition was critically praised for its bold and original use of colour.
The play was a commercial hit but critically dismissed as shallow and predictable.
A critically admired filmmaker, Camila has directed four award-winning documentaries.
- critically acclaimed
- critically praised
- critically dismissed
- critically admired
- critically neglected
- review-wise
informal, less common
Usage Note
Almost always appears in passive constructions with past participles of review-related verbs (acclaimed, praised, dismissed, admired). The context makes clear that critics, not the general public, are the source of the judgement.