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”

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”

of or involving or characteristic of critics or criticism

• “critical acclaim”