strait

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun strait differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of strait are contingency, crisis, emergency, exigency, juncture, pinch, and straits. While all these words mean "a critical or crucial time or state of affairs," strait, now commonly straits, applies to a troublesome situation from which escape is extremely difficult.

in dire straits

In what contexts can contingency take the place of strait?

In some situations, the words contingency and strait are roughly equivalent. However, contingency implies an emergency or exigency that is regarded as possible but uncertain of occurrence.

contingency plans

When might crisis be a better fit than strait?

The words crisis and strait are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, crisis applies to a juncture whose outcome will make a decisive difference.

a crisis of confidence

When is it sensible to use emergency instead of strait?

The meanings of emergency and strait largely overlap; however, emergency applies to a sudden unforeseen situation requiring prompt action to avoid disaster.

the presence of mind needed to deal with emergencies

Where would exigency be a reasonable alternative to strait?

While the synonyms exigency and strait are close in meaning, exigency stresses the pressure of restrictions or urgency of demands created by a special situation.

provide for exigencies

When would juncture be a good substitute for strait?

The words juncture and strait can be used in similar contexts, but juncture stresses the significant concurrence or convergence of events.

an important juncture in our country's history

How is pinch related to other words for strait?

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

come through in a pinch

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of strait At its narrowest point, the strait is about 21 miles wide, with two shipping lanes that are 2 miles wide in each direction. Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 June 2025 Iran is closing the strait, which is critical for global trade, in response to America's actions and the international community's inaction, the outlet reported. Henry J. Gomez, NBC news, 23 June 2025 While Iran’s parliament approved a motion to close the strait, a final decision lays with the country’s Supreme National Security Council, according to the BBC. Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 June 2025 Economists are especially concerned about retaliations that could disrupt the flow of oil, which is heavily dependent on the strait. Auzinea Bacon, CNN Money, 22 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for strait
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strait
Noun
  • An autopsy declared his cause of his death was asphyxia by neck compression.
    Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 8 July 2025
  • This buttery-looking Free People sweater has a mock neck and a particularly autumnal hue, and these 45-percent-off Levi’s jeans balance out its stylishly slouchy look.
    Alyssa Grabinski, People.com, 8 July 2025
Noun
  • To date, Operation UNITED has resulted in 33 positive identifications of people whose disappearance had left family members in anguish.
    Michael Kaplan, CBS News, 16 June 2025
  • Even so, the movie’s forceful visual shocks (executed mostly with practical effects) are easier to bear than its restlessly mounting anguish.
    Jeannette Catsoulis, New York Times, 29 May 2025
Noun
  • Placed from a channel with the handle @novileanlifedaily5807 and the title Opportunistic Trader, the ad had been viewed more than 840,000 times.
    Emily Baker-White, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025
  • This aligns with Operation Reconquista, a movement launched over two years ago by Richard Ackerman (Redeemed Zoomer), whose YouTube channel has over 500,000 subscribers and rallies young conservatives to reclaim mainline churches.
    The Rev. Jake Dell, Hartford Courant, 7 July 2025
Noun
  • Buildings continue to fall into economic distress because of government’s housing policies.
    Alva Badillo, New York Daily News, 29 June 2025
  • In line with these ideas, researchers published findings in 2023 that showed that meditation increased people’s concern for the suffering of others—and that, by comparison, people without this practice were more oriented to their own distress.
    Mariah G. Schug, Scientific American, 27 June 2025
Noun
  • Here, on starry evenings, there’s something wonderfully nostalgic about choosing a blockbuster from Calcot’s mammoth DVD library, strolling back to your cozy bolthole, and clinking a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon to the sound of a crackling fireplace—pure, country, bliss.
    Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
  • The album name had been rattling around her brain for months, born out of years of experiences trying to find the right combination of words to describe her sound to other people, particularly the American media.
    Cat Cardenas, Rolling Stone, 30 June 2025
Noun
  • However, not everyone is empathetic enough to understand that this pain is ongoing.
    Jeanne Phillips, Mercury News, 7 July 2025
  • Opioid pain relievers, such as oxycodone or morphine, can also disrupt the body’s ability to manage heat, triggering perspiration.
    Lauryn Higgins, Time, 7 July 2025
Noun
  • The brand’s signature high-definition cardigans came depicting Hawaiian islands and secluded bays, making for beautiful pieces that could double as wearable postcards.
    Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 3 July 2025
  • The bay laurels, in fact, are making a major comeback after the 2021 freeze.
    Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
Noun
  • Meanwhile, Joseph writhes in the agony of his own newfound girl craziness (and cleavage obsession).
    Daniel Dockery, Vulture, 7 July 2025
  • Williams was never offered any other clear pathway to finding relief—even as the agony from her fibroids was getting worse.
    Kayla Greaves, SELF, 3 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Strait.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strait. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.

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