Censorious to a dangerous degree? (8)

I believe the answer is:

critical

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'censorious' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)

I cannot understand how the rest of the clue works.

(Other definitions for critical that I've seen before include "Adversely commenting" , "serious" , "Censorious - to a dangerous degree" , "Urgent or carping" , "Calling attention to errors and flaws" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.

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