topical

5 synonyms and 1 antonym for topical, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Adj — Relating to a subject that is currently of interest or in the news.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

current relevant contemporary

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

timely

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

newsworthy

Synonyms by Meaning

1. adj

Relating to a subject that is currently of interest or in the news.

“The comedian's set was full of topical jokes about the election.”

current newsworthy timely relevant contemporary

2. adj

Applied directly to the skin or a specific part of the body, rather than taken internally.

“The doctor prescribed a topical cream for the rash.”

Opposites

systemic

How to use topical

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

topical cream topical humour topical issue

Etymology

From "topic" plus the adjective ending "-al".

Full origin of topical →

Frequently asked questions

What does “topical” mean?

The word “topical” means relating to a subject that is currently of interest or in the news. In plain terms, either "about current events" or, in medicine, "applied to the surface of the skin.".

How do you pronounce “topical”?

“Topical” is pronounced TOP-ih-kuhl (/ˈtɑ.pɪ.kəl/ in IPA).

How do you use “topical” in a sentence?

Here is “topical” used in a sentence: “The comedian's set was full of topical jokes about the election.”

What part of speech is “topical”?

“Topical” is an adjective.

Is “topical” a common word?

“Topical” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “topical” have?

“Topical” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: relating to a subject that is currently of interest or in the news.

People also searched

current relevant contemporary systemic timely newsworthy

Nearby words

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