Critical to take steps about university strike, finally (5)
I believe the answer is:
acute
'critical' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)
'take steps about university strike finally' is the wordplay.
'take steps' becomes 'act' (synonyms).
'about' is an insertion indicator.
'university' becomes 'u' (abbreviation for university).
'finally' suggests the final letters.
The final letter of 'strike' is 'e'.
'act' enclosing 'u' is 'acut'.
'acut'+'e'='ACUTE'
'to' is the link.
(Other definitions for acute that I've seen before include "Shrewd; serious" , "Quick-witted" , "Sharp - sort of French accent" , "Extremely sharp or intense" , "Grave" .)