emergent

adjective

i-ˈmər-jənt How to pronounce emergent (audio)
Definition of emergentnext
as in urgent
needing immediate attention since the problem was not seen as emergent, implementation of the expensive solution for it was continually put off

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of emergent These rituals began with the Spanish; continued with the Dutch, Portuguese, English, and French; and continued in the embrace of the emergent American Republic. — J. B. MacKinnon, Harpers Magazine, 29 Sep. 2026 Many of these bulbs will naturally spread over time, but using pre-emergent herbicides can prevent this. — Paul Cappeillo, Louisville Courier Journal, 11 Sep. 2026 Prevent regrowth by applying pre-emergent herbicides, replanting groundcovers, or using soil solarization. — Nadia Hassani, The Spruce, 9 Sep. 2026 Elda Rojas, superintendent of Cityscape Schools, the charter school network that operates Buckner Preparatory, said more than 60% of the school's students are emergent bilinguals. — Amelia Mugavero, CBS News, 8 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for emergent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for emergent
  1. urgent
  2. acute
Adjective
  • As work at the track progressed, one urgent mitigation project upriver lagged.
    — Abe Streep, ProPublica, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Everything feels mellow and unhurried, as if time stopped long ago and there’s nothing urgent to attend to.
    — Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of urgent
Adjective
  • Looking forward, adding Tesla will simply make a new SpaceX’s huge need for cash far more acute.
    — Shawn Tully, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026
  • For North Carolina, where our infrastructure recently received a C- from the American Society of Civil Engineers, the need for ongoing federal funding for road and highway improvements feels particularly acute.
    — Kevin Blackwell, Charlotte Observer, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of acute

Browse Nearby Words

emergency
emergent
emerges
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Cite this Entry

“Emergent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/emergent. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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