strait

1 a narrow body of water between two land masses <as the ship headed east through the Strait of Gibraltar, Spain was on our left and Africa on our right> Synonyms narrows, neck, sound, channelRelated Words arm, bay, gulf, inlet; roads, roadstead; reach, stretch

2 often straits pl  a state of great suffering of body or mind <in great straits over the loss of her mother's cherished necklace> Synonyms affliction, agony, anguish, excruciation, hurt, misery, pain, rack, distress(s), torment, torture, travail, tribulation, woeRelated Words discomfort; cross, crucible, trial; heartache, heartbreak, joylessness, sadness, sorrow, unhappiness; emergency, pinch; asperity, difficulty, hardship, rigor; ache, pang, smarting, soreness, stitch, throe, twinge; danger, jeopardy, troubleNear Antonyms comfort, consolation, solace; alleviation, assuagement, ease, relief; peace, security; well-being