Synonym Chooser

How does the noun juncture differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of juncture are contingency, crisis, emergency, exigency, pinch, straits, and strait. While all these words 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

In what contexts can contingency take the place of juncture?

While the synonyms contingency and juncture are close in meaning, contingency implies an emergency or exigency that is regarded as possible but uncertain of occurrence.

contingency plans

Where would crisis be a reasonable alternative to juncture?

Although the words crisis and juncture have much in common, crisis applies to a juncture whose outcome will make a decisive difference.

a crisis of confidence

When might emergency be a better fit than juncture?

The words emergency and juncture are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, emergency applies to a sudden unforeseen situation requiring prompt action to avoid disaster.

the presence of mind needed to deal with emergencies

When would exigency be a good substitute for juncture?

While in some cases nearly identical to juncture, exigency stresses the pressure of restrictions or urgency of demands created by a special situation.

provide for exigencies

How does the word pinch relate to other synonyms for juncture?

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 juncture?

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

in dire straits

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 juncture That made last summer a critical juncture in the team’s future. John Romano, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Apr. 2025 At the heart of this week’s episode were critical junctures for two couples. Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 8 Apr. 2025 At this juncture, the exact timeline for Mysterio's recovery and subsequent return to the WWE ring remains uncertain. Mohammed Soliman, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Apr. 2025 That’s why the authors set out a roadmap to address critical junctures on the timeline between 2030 and 2050 when many greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets are set to. Amy Nguyen, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for juncture
Recent Examples of Synonyms for juncture
Noun
  • Camille Grand with the European Council on Foreign Relations says the president has a point about the transatlantic military alliance.
    Elizabeth Palmer, CBS News, 3 May 2025
  • Superstars Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin were both averaging less than a point per game.
    Peter Baugh, New York Times, 3 May 2025
Noun
  • For a different perspective on the prairie, head to the reserve’s PN Unit at the junction of the Missouri and Judith Rivers, which features the steeper topography of the Missouri Breaks and a more forested vibe.
    Adam Roy, Outside Online, 24 Apr. 2025
  • The stakes of the story become ever more human-on-human, with zombies largely relegated to one epic battle that sits at the cinematic junction of western, medieval and samurai.
    Mike Hale, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The combative atmosphere under the Trump administration has raised concerns among some legal experts of a potential constitutional crisis.
    USA Today, USA Today, 3 May 2025
  • The unalloyed goods: reversing the Biden agenda, ending the border crisis, sanity on transgender issues, consequential moves against DEI and race-conscious policies, hitting the Houthis, speaking forthrightly about the Gaza war.
    NR Editors, National Review, 2 May 2025
Noun
  • While the Heat, seeking a reset of their own after trading Jimmy Butler to the Golden State Warriors, are left to contemplate all of the what-ifs of Monday night’s lottery moment.
    Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 13 May 2025
  • In May 2023, Jenna posted a carousel of photos from their wedding day and other special moments since tying the knot in order to commemorate their 15th wedding anniversary.
    Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 12 May 2025
Noun
  • The coach’s family has lived at the intersection for more than 50 years, relatives said.
    Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 8 May 2025
  • Related Stories Mother and Father of 5 Killed in 7-Car Crash in Chicago Sheriff’s Deputy Killed After His Vehicle Splits in Half During Stolen Car Chase The crash occurred at the intersection of U.S. 40 and Ronald Reagan Parkway, the outlet reported.
    Madison E. Goldberg, People.com, 8 May 2025
Noun
  • Now, Maineri heads into year 12 with 18 pitchers on his roster, hoping that rising junior Caleb Gilbert and sophomore-to-be Zach Hess will emerge at the top of the pitching rotation.
    John Roach, NOLA.com, 19 July 2017
  • Cal Fire representatives said the current parking mess has already impacted them because the driveway to their station enters the highway not far from the trail head.
    J. Harry Jones, Ramona Sentinel, 19 July 2017
Noun
  • For those who work with Venezuelan migrants directly, the situation feels deeply complicated.
    Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 9 May 2025
  • Then there’s factors such as spreading out lefthanded hitters in the lineup to offset lefthanded relievers, flexibility for late-game situations and Quatraro’s preference to keep free-swinging batters from being lined up together (the better to avoid a couple fast outs).
    Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 9 May 2025
Noun
  • Inside the suitcase were human remains which consisted of a female torso without the extremities, head and neck, and a black trash bag, which was next to the neck area, the warrant affidavit said.
    Kellie Love, Hartford Courant, 30 Apr. 2025
  • Don't use a tourniquet Don't try to suction out the venom, and don't cut or slice the bite Keep the affected extremity elevated while traveling to a medical facility.
    Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA TODAY, 14 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Juncture.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/juncture. Accessed 16 May. 2025.

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