1
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 State officials have said the fabric-and-steel-frame tent city is designed to withstand Category 2 winds of up to 110 mph, and contingency measures are available if a stronger storm threatens. Skyler Swisher, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 July 2025 The state-run insurer sent multiple cancellation letters through the years, each basing coverage on different contingencies Clark felt were unreasonable, such as undergoing another inspection or making additional upgrades to the property. Peter Aldous, Miami Herald, 20 July 2025 The circuit has also leaned into a festival-style atmosphere — complete with the large contingency of fans camping at the track — by hosting a number of big-name music acts that fans can watch as part of their ticket price. Luke Smith, New York Times, 6 July 2025 This outlines all key terms of the transaction, including price, deposit, contingencies, and timeline. James Nelson, Forbes.com, 25 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for contingency
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contingency
Noun
  • State officials advised residents to prepare for the possibility of dangerous conditions along beaches and coastal communities.
    Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2025
  • He was suddenly confronted with the the possibility of life-threatening internal bleeding due to his hemophilia.
    Beth Warren, The Tennessean, 21 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • But over the years, the courts, Congress, and the first Trump administration eviscerated provisions of the ACA.
    Elisabeth Rosenthal, Miami Herald, 12 Aug. 2025
  • Walker had already blocked some provisions of the statute that bar noncitizens and residents of other states from gathering petitions to get a measure on the ballot.
    Kate Payne, Sun Sentinel, 12 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • The event will include a fireside chat moderated by WLWT anchor Courtis Fuller and a question and answer portion.
    Grace Tucker, The Enquirer, 13 Aug. 2025
  • Seize the moment: In the world of live sports, timely posting has a direct impact on performance, especially during live events.
    Forbes.com, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Texas is the 29th state to adopt a financial literacy requirement, according to Next Gen Personal Finance, a nonprofit that offers free curriculum to schools nationwide.
    Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Aug. 2025
  • Innovating through devising shortcuts and alternatives is often a key requirement of life with a disability, as is an appetite for identifying and becoming early adopters of technologies with the potential to make life that bit easier.
    Gus Alexiou, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • The district’s proposal does not to commit to the pension payment, keeping the option open contingent on additional resources from the city and state.
    Kate Perez, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2025
  • At least 100 fans waited for Brink in the stands well after the final buzzer, a contingent that included the Stanford women’s basketball team.
    Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 10 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • If conditions are right, the clusters swirl into a storm known as a tropical wave or tropical depression.
    Julia Gomez, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2025
  • The Southwest is experiencing one of its worst droughts on record, with drier-than-normal conditions since 1994.
    Hayleigh Evans, AZCentral.com, 17 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Republican governors have passed property tax refund proposals and, in some cases, successfully capped what cities can charge residents.
    David Weigel, semafor.com, 19 Aug. 2025
  • In the first case, the pupil might return to the master with a description of their face, or a leaf, or a rock—all of which would be dismissed as wrong.
    Sebastian Purcell August 18, Literary Hub, 18 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Many of Trump’s trade deals, including with the Philippines and Indonesia, include a stipulation that U.S. exports will not face tariffs, which gave Trump the sweeter side of the deal.
    Alex Gangitano, The Hill, 31 July 2025
  • Earlier this month, the Trump administration lifted a stipulation that required export licenses for chip design software to Chinese customers.
    Bloomberg, Mercury News, 29 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Contingency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contingency. Accessed 24 Aug. 2025.

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