juncture

noun junc·ture \ ˈjəŋ(k)-chər \

|Updated on: 13 Aug 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: juncture in a Sentence

Editor's Note: Did You Know?

Definition of juncture

1 : a point of time

at this juncture

; especially : one made critical by a concurrence of circumstances

2 a : joint, connection

b : the manner of transition or mode of relationship between two consecutive sounds in speech

3 : an instance of joining : junction

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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 of juncture from the Web

Defense lawyers routinely ask judges to dismiss charges after the prosecution rests, but the judges rarely do so at that juncture.

— benjamin weiser, New York Times, "Bid-Rigging Trial Is Waylaid Over Issue of Venue," 29 June 2018
The Royals arrived at that juncture because Maurer had allowed back-to-back singles to place runners on the corners with one out in the ninth inning and bring up Evan Gattis, whose 24 RBIs in June lead baseball.

— maria torres, kansascity, "After Brandon Maurer blows ninth-inning lead, Royals lose to Astros in 12 innings," 23 June 2018
The frustration has been in being unable to get out of the round of 16, with six straight losses at that juncture.

— martin rogers, USA TODAY, "Why Mexico is the World Cup's biggest loser despite sterling start in Russia," 21 June 2018
Whoever is elected will lead Colombia at a crucial juncture.

— Washington Post, "Ex-rebel looks to defy odds in Colombia presidential race," 16 June 2018
Stanton’s second goal came at a crucial juncture late in the second quarter, Salisbury fresh off three straight goals to cut its deficit to 4-3.

— owen pence, BostonGlobe.com, "Merrimack trounces Saint Leo to win Division 2 title," 27 May 2018
At this juncture, Virginia (aka the 12-inch fashion doll) and Dean are the most stable couple of the crew.

— nina metz, chicagotribune.com, "‘Claws’ Episode 5 recap: 5 things to know about ‘Vaginalologist’ and the good doctor’s betrayal," 9 July 2018
Heading into Monday’s round of 16 clash with Brazil, Mexico has departed at this juncture six times in a row, finding various methods of malady and misfortune but with always the same result.

— martin rogers, USA TODAY, "Why the World Cup hurts so much for Mexico," 1 July 2018
Ellison saw Kirk as a man who, at a critical juncture, couldn’t let the love of his life die to save the universe.

— keith phipps, Vox, "Harlan Ellison wrote Star Trek’s greatest episode. He hated it.," 29 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'juncture.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Did You Know?

Juncture has many relatives in English - and some of them are easy to spot, whereas others are not so obvious. Juncture derives from the Latin verb jungere (to join), which gave us not only join and junction but also conjugal (relating to marriage) and junta (a group of persons controlling a government). Jungere also has distant etymological connections to joust, jugular, juxtapose, yoga and yoke. The use of juncture in English dates back to the 14th century. Originally, the word meant "a place where two or more things are joined," but by the 17th century it could also be used of an important point in time or of a stage in a process or activity.

First Known Use of juncture

14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 2a

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juncture Synonyms

Synonyms

boiling point, breaking point, clutch, conjuncture, crisis, crossroad(s), crunch, emergency, exigency, extremity, flash point, head, tinderbox, zero hour;

Related Words

contingency, possibility;

climax, turning point;

happening, landmark, milestone;

condition, pass, situation, strait;

deadlock, impasse, stalemate;

corner, fix, hole, hot water, jam, last ditch, pinch, predicament, scrape, spot;

eleventh hour, last minute;

Phrases

moment of truth, point of no return;

Synonym Discussion of 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.