critical

marked by a tendency to find and call attention to errors and flaws

“a critical attitude”

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”

“critical mass”

“go critical”

characterized by careful evaluation and judgment

“a critical reading”

“a critical dissertation”

“a critical analysis of Melville's writings”

urgently needed; absolutely necessary

“a critical element of the plan”

“critical medical supplies”

“vital for a healthy society”

“of vital interest”

forming or having the nature of a turning point or crisis

“a critical point in the campaign”

“the critical test”

being in or verging on a state of crisis or emergency

“a critical shortage of food”

“a critical illness”

“an illness at the critical stage”