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as in possibility
something that might happen agencies trying to provide for every contingency in a national emergency

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

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 contingency Of course, such legislation cannot anticipate all future contingencies, which may open the door for political interference or for practices that break the law. Ana Carolina Garriga, The Conversation, 18 Apr. 2025 Think about capital reserves, contingency planning, diversification and redundancies with people and systems. Ryan Weissmueller, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025 On April 7, Gladstone and Berry worked out the terms of a trade, with two contingencies. Michael Silver, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2025 He was told legal costs would be on contingency and covered in successful litigation. Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for contingency
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contingency
Noun
  • He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
    Emily Blackwood, People.com, 17 May 2025
  • Transformational communication yields opportunities and possibilities.
    Wyles Daniel, USA Today, 17 May 2025
Noun
  • House Republicans approved a provision to their budget on Wednesday that would permit the federal government to sell thousands of acres of public land, in an effort to boost fossil fuel production and development projects.
    Dan Cody, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 May 2025
  • Although a majority of U.S. states already have abuse reporting mandates in place for religious leaders, each of those laws includes a provision exempting information learned through confession.
    Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 8 May 2025
Noun
  • The week had included finals, pre-graduation events and students moving out of the dorms.
    Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 10 May 2025
  • Religion notes are open to any group wanting to publicize a special event.
    Carin Schoppmeyer, Arkansas Online, 10 May 2025
Noun
  • However, some analysts also credited other factors, such as eliminating minimum parking requirements.
    Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 May 2025
  • Meeting these requirements will likely depend on AI vendors providing detailed technical disclosures, which could present challenges if vendors are unwilling or unable to share the necessary information.
    Alonzo Martinez, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025
Noun
  • Melvin, the private in Arnold’s contingent, recorded the logistical debacle in his journal.
    Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 May 2025
  • The outlet also reported that Chinese troops and contingents of soldiers from North Korea, Vietnam and Mongolia marched through Red Square.
    Greg Norman, FOXNews.com, 9 May 2025
Noun
  • Upon arrival, firefighters encountered heavy smoke and active fire conditions.
    Richard Requena, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2025
  • Those winds may down tree limbs and create difficult driving conditions, especially for high-profile vehicles.
    Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 May 2025
Noun
  • In Chicago, where there are about 60 IRS special agents working downtown and in the suburbs, the IRS has been particularly effective in public corruption cases, including the blockbuster investigations of former Govs.
    Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2025
  • Since 1982, only a handful of cases have been documented, most notably in 2016 in the Florida Keys, when screwworm infected a deer population.
    Connor Greene, CNN Money, 14 May 2025
Noun
  • Leitch apportioned blame on the basis that McDougall had ignored stipulations in the contract by using shorter length joists and substituting red pine for weaker yellow pine.
    Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 17 May 2025
  • As well as the six-figure quote, there were stipulations such as business-class flights and preapproved hotels.
    Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Contingency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contingency. Accessed 22 May. 2025.

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