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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 Lazaro and other officials told senators that contingency measures are already in place to assist and evacuate Filipinos in the event of a war. Karen Lema, Reuters, 28 Aug. 2025 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, 26 Aug. 2025 Firefighters worked through the night Thursday with three night-flying helicopters doing water drops, eight dozers reopening access roads and building contingency lines and 53 engines, eight hand crews and four water tenders were also in action overnight. The Press Democrat, Mercury News, 23 Aug. 2025 Fire lines along the Lee and Elk fires near Meeker were holding Friday afternoon, with crews focusing on mopping up hotspots and preparing contingency lines on the southern edges of the fire toward Rifle, according to Elk and Lee Fire Information. Meg Wingerter, Denver Post, 15 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for contingency
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contingency
Noun
  • But others suggested that with Kirk’s death, any possibility of peacefully bridging the divide between the right and left was now off the table.
    Chad de Guzman, Time, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Collins, Appropriations Committee chairwoman, is tasked with crafting funding measures and is locked in a battleground reelection fight, potentially strengthening the possibility of an extension.
    Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 11 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Becoming tax competitive globally, both in terms of absolute rates and tax design, by adopting tax provisions that reduce tax barriers to investment and capital formation.
    Alden Abbott, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Around half of homeless people work, according to a 2021 study, and could be swept up in the order’s provisions.
    Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 11 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • On Wednesday afternoon, Turning Point USA founder and right-wing influencer Charlie Kirk was shot in the neck during a speaking event at Utah Valley University.
    Rebecca Jennings, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2025
  • The latest commitment will allow Startup Junkie to continue the program for three years and expand the team's capacity to serve clients and prospective borrowers with more resources, hands-on support and events.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 11 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The course accepts recruits whose body fat is up to 8% higher or whose scores on the Army's aptitude test are as much as seven points lower than the requirement to become a soldier.
    Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2025
  • There’s usually a physical requirement, as well as severely playing down the high-wattage glamor that got you on red carpets in the first place.
    David Fear, Rolling Stone, 6 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The new positions will bring the full contingent in Jefferson County’s wildfire mitigation program to 39 full-time employees.
    John Aguilar, Denver Post, 7 Sep. 2025
  • In addition to a healthy contingent of federal firefighters, federal workers from the departments of agriculture, the interior, and others have a strong presence in the town, which has a lone blinking stop-and-go traffic light and no parking meters.
    David Mark, The Washington Examiner, 5 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The economic conditions have put Fed policymakers in a bind.
    Max Zahn, ABC News, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Then, in June, Lyles cast the tiebreaking vote deciding not to study ways to improve working conditions for airport employees.
    Nick Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • In any case, clues and answers for today’s Mini are below!
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
  • But the details of L’s case were striking.
    Duaa Eldeib, ProPublica, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • This is no accident, as stipulations in the language of the incentive allow the dealer, not the purchaser, to be considered the owner allowing the lessee ability to gain the benefit of the credit regardless of income.
    Hughey Newsome, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Michigan, Ohio, the territory of Puerto Rico and other states have specific stipulations regarding anonymity.
    Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Contingency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contingency. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.

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