Synonyms of contingency

contingency

noun

kən-ˈtin-jən(t)-sē 

1

as in possibility

something that might happen

agencies trying to provide for every contingency in a national emergency

Synonyms & Similar Words

• possibility
• event
• contingent
• case
• contingence
• eventuality
• probability
• risk
• accident
• hazard
• chance
• hap

2

as in provision

something upon which the carrying out of an agreement or offer depends

an offer to buy the house, with the contingency that it pass inspection

Synonyms & Similar Words

• provision
• requirement
• condition
• stipulation
• qualification
• reservation
• exception
• proviso
• terms
• modification
• if
• limitation
• restriction
• necessity
• exemption
• requisite
• must
• precondition
• essential
• prerequisite
• demand
• strings
• need

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun contingency differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of contingency are crisis, emergency, exigency, juncture, pinch, straits, and strait. While all these words mean "a critical or crucial time or state of affairs," contingency implies an emergency or exigency that is regarded as possible but uncertain of occurrence.

contingency plans

In what contexts can crisis take the place of contingency?

The meanings of crisis and contingency largely overlap; however, crisis applies to a juncture whose outcome will make a decisive difference.

a crisis of confidence

When is emergency a more appropriate choice than contingency?

While in some cases nearly identical to contingency, emergency applies to a sudden unforeseen situation requiring prompt action to avoid disaster.

the presence of mind needed to deal with emergencies

When might exigency be a better fit than contingency?

The synonyms exigency and contingency are sometimes interchangeable, but exigency stresses the pressure of restrictions or urgency of demands created by a special situation.

provide for exigencies

When could juncture be used to replace contingency?

The words juncture and contingency 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 does the word pinch relate to other synonyms for contingency?

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

come through in a pinch

How are the words strait and straits related as synonyms of contingency?

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

in dire straits

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of contingency

When the refunds come back to importers, they will likely be taxed by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in some capacity—as a gain contingency, for example. —Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 24 Mar. 2026

The fact that anyone at the top is shocked by snaking security lines at airports is of a piece with the administration’s rather cavalier approach to contingency planning. —Juliette Kayyem, The Atlantic, 23 Mar. 2026

Single-family houses that need work also are drawing multiple bids, but higher purchase prices are making would-be buyers more cautious and increasingly unwilling to waive home inspections and other contingencies, experts say. —Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 22 Mar. 2026

Capping the attorney fees, even slightly, will upset the incentive for attorneys to take cases on a contingency basis — where the person hurt by an Uber driver isn’t required to pay expensive hourly fees just to bring a case, experts say. —Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 21 Mar. 2026