top-priority
First on list
Top-priority describes something requiring immediate attention above all else: a top-priority case, top-priority status.
The hyphenated form functions as a compound adjective before nouns.
Without the hyphen, top priority works as a noun phrase: Safety is our top priority.
Focused mental awareness
- emphasisStress given to something
- precedenceSuperior rank or importance
- primacyCondition of being foremost
- forefrontMost prominent position
spotlight · headline · number-one · centerpiece · top-of-mind · above-the-fold · marquee · flagship
Forming the base
- coreCentral essential portion
- keyLock-opening device
- vitalEssential or sustaining existence
- indispensableUtterly required, irreplaceable
paramount · primary · central · foundational · prerequisite · integral · cardinal · mission-critical
Happening without delay
- pressingRequiring immediate attention
- time-sensitiveRequiring prompt action
- deadlineTime limit for completion
- expediteSpeed up a process
rush · emergency · accelerate · swift · hurry · prompt · fast-track · stat
Risking death
- crisisDecisive dangerous moment
- direExtremely serious or urgent
- acuteIntensely severe or perceptive
- severeExtremely harsh or strict
grave · serious · perilous · high-stakes · dangerous · intensive-care · life-or-death · do-or-die
Required, not optional
- requiredNeeded by rule
- obligatoryRequired by rule
- bindingLegally or morally required
- enforcedMade to be followed
dictated · nonnegotiable · unavoidable · regulatory · compliance · contractual · by-law · stipulated
attention
Focused mental awareness
- emphasisStress given to something
- precedenceSuperior rank or importance
- primacyCondition of being foremost
forefront · spotlight · headline · number-one · centerpiece · top-of-mind · above-the-fold · marquee · flagship
fundamental
Forming the base
indispensable · paramount · primary · central · foundational · prerequisite · integral · cardinal · mission-critical · non-negotiable
immediate
Happening without delay
- pressingRequiring immediate attention
- time-sensitiveRequiring prompt action
- deadlineTime limit for completion
expedite · rush · emergency · accelerate · swift · hurry · prompt · fast-track · stat · triage
life-threatening
Risking death
severe · grave · serious · perilous · high-stakes · dangerous · intensive-care · life-or-death · do-or-die · crunch-time
compulsory
Required, not optional
- requiredNeeded by rule
- obligatoryRequired by rule
- bindingLegally or morally required
enforced · dictated · nonnegotiable · unavoidable · regulatory · compliance · contractual · by-law · stipulated · court-ordered
top-prioritylow-priority
Lacking immediate importance
secondary · tertiary · trivial · back-burner · negligible
top-priorityoptional
Not mandatory
deferrable · nonessential · nice-to-have · non-urgent · dispensable
prior, priority, topmost, prioritize, priorities, prioritized, prioritizing, prioritization