juncture

noun

junc·​ture ˈjəŋ(k)-chər How to pronounce juncture (audio)
1
: a point of time
at this juncture
especially : one made critical by a concurrence of circumstances
2
b
: the manner of transition or mode of relationship between two consecutive sounds in speech
3
: an instance of joining : junction

Did you know?

Join us as we journey into the history of juncture, a word that’s neither junky nor janky, but just dandy. Juncture comes from the Latin verb jungere ("to join") and has many English relatives including not only join and junction but also conjugal ("relating to marriage") and junta ("a group of persons controlling a government"). The use of juncture in English dates back to the 14th century, when it meant "a place where two or more things are joined." By the 17th century it could also refer to an important point in a process or activity.

Choose the Right Synonym for juncture

juncture, exigency, emergency, contingency, pinch, strait (or straits) crisis mean a critical or crucial time or state of affairs.

juncture stresses the significant concurrence or convergence of events.

an important juncture in our country's history

exigency stresses the pressure of restrictions or urgency of demands created by a special situation.

provide for exigencies

emergency applies to a sudden unforeseen situation requiring prompt action to avoid disaster.

the presence of mind needed to deal with emergencies

contingency implies an emergency or exigency that is regarded as possible but uncertain of occurrence.

contingency plans

pinch implies urgency or pressure for action to a less intense degree than exigency or emergency.

come through in a pinch

strait, now commonly straits, applies to a troublesome situation from which escape is extremely difficult.

in dire straits

crisis applies to a juncture whose outcome will make a decisive difference.

a crisis of confidence

Examples of juncture in a Sentence

Negotiations between the countries reached a critical juncture. At this juncture it looks like they are going to get a divorce. the juncture of two rivers
Recent Examples on the Web This convergence is not a fleeting trend but a pivotal juncture that will shape the technological landscape for years. Max (chong) Li, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 Brokeback Mountain makes great use of Gyllenhaal's inherent romanticism, utilizing his loving gaze at every possible juncture as the outgoing Jack. Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 29 Feb. 2024 The key juncture of Avisail Garcia’s offseason began with a phone call to Miami Marlins teammate Luis Arraez. Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 25 Feb. 2024 What is your sense of the role that Hollywood unions play in the larger U.S. labor landscape at this juncture? Katie Kilkenny, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Feb. 2024 At that juncture, Martin was simultaneously cooking up something with Martin Short. Garret K. Woodward, Rolling Stone, 20 Feb. 2024 The void left by Burruss creates a critical juncture for the show, demanding a reevaluation of its cast and a fresh approach to maintaining its relevance. Shelby Stewart, Essence, 5 Feb. 2024 At this juncture, any two-state initiative would need to deliver concrete, upfront results to have even a chance of success. Marc Lynch, Foreign Affairs, 20 Feb. 2024 Now a trade probe in Europe could diminish exports at a critical juncture. Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 20 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'juncture.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Time Traveler
The first known use of juncture was in the 14th century

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Dictionary Entries Near juncture

Cite this Entry

“Juncture.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/juncture. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

juncture

noun
junc·​ture ˈjəŋ(k)-chər How to pronounce juncture (audio)
1
: an instance of joining : union
2
3
: an important point of time
they feel they must make a decision at this juncture
junctural
-chə-rəl
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on juncture

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