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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 When Dylan activates the overtime contingency, Irving, Helly and Mark have about an hour as their innies in the outer world. Skyler Trepel, People.com, 17 Jan. 2025 Dylan tells his fellow coworkers about the overtime contingency. Eliana Dockterman, TIME, 15 Jan. 2025 Identify timeline vulnerabilities and prepare contingencies. 3. Katherine Latham, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025 And the agency was required by the federal government to add $400 million to the amount set aside for unexpected costs, bringing the total cost including this contingency to more than $5.7 billion. Sarah Freishtat, Chicago Tribune, 6 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for contingency 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contingency
Noun
  • With this development, medium- and heavy-duty EVs are a possibility across the industry, supporting Maryland’s sustainable transportation priorities and its climate pollution reduction plan.
    Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 28 Jan. 2025
  • The biggest uncertainty for the Fed this year is the potential affect of Trump's trade policies, particularly the possibility of new tariffs.
    Barbara A. Perry, Newsweek, 28 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Those taxes are in addition to federal income taxes, where the highest rate is 37% but is set to climb to 39.6% beginning in 2026 unless President Donald Trump and Congress extend provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 or pass another tax law.
    Robert Raiola, Sportico.com, 1 Feb. 2025
  • The effective provisions securing the border were removed on the first day of the new Biden Administration.
    Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 1 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • The event is characterized as a huge success and falls nicely into a calendar of public and fundraising events that help attract visitors, donations and awareness to the growing zoo.
    Molly Davis, The Tennessean, 3 Feb. 2025
  • Before the events of the 2023 World Cup final trophy presentation and the scandal over Rubiales’ behaviour not just on that day but since, Hermoso was one of the most important faces of the professionalisation of the women’s game in her homeland.
    Laia Cervelló Herrero, The Athletic, 2 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Of course, there’s a catch: On top of a little less legroom, most budget airlines tout expensive checked baggage fees if your carry-on exceeds their requirements.
    Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 31 Jan. 2025
  • In the fall of 2023, facing declining recruitment, the village relaxed its residency requirements for firefighters.
    Hank Beckman, Chicago Tribune, 31 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Although the Italian contingent is highly visible at the show, there’s another group of brands from the U.K. that also has a strong presence.
    Jean E. Palmieri, WWD, 31 Jan. 2025
  • The proposal is one Trump touted while campaigning in Las Vegas to win support from the city’s huge contingent of service workers.
    Robert Faturechi, ProPublica, 30 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Among the potential conditions mentioned are stricter immigration enforcement and requiring tougher voter ID laws.
    David Lightman, Sacramento Bee, 6 Feb. 2025
  • The cold snap could cause power outages and difficult travel conditions during Thursday's commute and beyond, forecasters warned.
    Patrick Smith, NBC News, 6 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Settling in Mexico is not an option, Camacho insisted, though the Trump administration plans to ship asylum seekers arriving at the border back to Mexico to await U.S. adjudication of their cases.
    Patrick J. McDonnell, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2025
  • In Bull Connor’s case, film coverage of his fire-hose and police-dog attacks was broadcast on TV, triggering shock and fury in Washington and elsewhere, and ultimately leading to passage of the Civil Rights Act in 1964.
    David Mcgrath, Orlando Sentinel, 26 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Be sure to understand the stipulations of each before deciding whether or not a grant or scholarship is right for you and/or your family's situation.
    Kimberly Zapata, Parents, 27 Jan. 2025
  • To honor her work, American Masters at PBS commissioned a documentary on her life, but before agreeing to sign on, Matlin had a few stipulations.
    Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 25 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near contingency

Cite this Entry

“Contingency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contingency. Accessed 9 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on contingency

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