critically

comparative more critically · superlative most critically

1. In a critical manner; with, or in terms of, criticism.

   I looked critically at the frayed carpet of the hotel room.

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   Girard critically examines Nietzsche's central contention that Christianity is a religion of sublimated vengeance or ressentiment and contents that although Nietzsche is half right about Christians he remains dangerously naive about violence itself.

   2008 November 24, Giles Fraser, “On the Genealogy of Morals, part 5: Breaking the cycle of conflict”, in The Guardian, →ISSN

2. In terms of critique, review, of or by critics.

   a critically applauded film

3. With close discernment; accurately; exactly.

   Thus difficult it is to underſtand the purity of Engliſh, and critically to diſcern not only good Writers from bad, and a proper ſtile from a corrupt, but alſo to diſtinguiſh that which is pure in a good Author, from that which is vicious and corrupt in him.

   1685, John Dryden, transl., “Preface”, in Sylvæ: Or, The Second Part of Poetical Miscellanies, London: […] Jacob Tonson, […], →OCLC; reprinted Menston, Yorkshire; London: Scolar Press, 1973, →ISBN, page 19

4. At a crisis or critical time; in a situation, place, or condition of decisive consequence.

   a fortification critically situated

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   Coming critically the night before the session.

   a. 1716 (date written), [Gilbert] Burnet, edited by [Gilbert Burnet Jr.], Bishop Burnet’s History of His Own Time. […], volume (please specify |volume=I or II), London: […] Thomas Ward […], published 1724, →OCLC

5. Requiring immediate attention; likely to cause a collapse.

   critically ill

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   critically injured

   critically endangered