When it comes to conveying a sense of urgency, there are several synonyms that can be used instead of "in a crucial state." For instance, the phrase "in a critical condition" suggests that a situation is urgent and requires immediate attention. Another alternative is "on the brink" which conveys the idea of being at a tipping point and that a decision needs to be made before it's too late. "In a precarious situation" can also be used to describe a challenging state where there is a high risk of things going wrong. All these synonyms serve the purpose of indicating that a situation is dire and requires prompt action.