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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 The board’s rejection of Ono — unanimously approved just a week earlier by the University of Florida’s Board of Trustees — was so unexpected that the university had not prepared a contingency statement. Ian Hodgson, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 June 2025 The embassy said that the State Department was planning for contingencies to assist U.S. citizens with their departure from Israel and instructed all U.S. government employees and their family members to continue to shelter in place until further notice. Nbc News, NBC news, 20 June 2025 The Department of State is planning for contingencies to assist with private U.S. citizens' departure from Israel. Andrew Stanton shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 June 2025 The Marines are tasked with protecting federal facilities and personnel, according to a statement from U.S. Northern Command, and will operate under Task Force 51—a contingency unit created to coordinate military support for domestic emergencies. Nik Popli, Time, 11 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for contingency
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contingency
Noun
  • From clothes to baby strollers, the possibilities can radically help to improve the logistics of intermodal travel.
    Ramsey Qubein, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • When asked by Trump about the possibility of expanding the Everglades site, DeSantis demurred but said the state is looking into other facilities in different areas.
    Rachel Treisman, NPR, 1 July 2025
Noun
  • Notably, the governor removed the 2029 deadline from a provision that would have closed the Green Bay Correctional Institute by 2029.
    Hope Karnopp, jsonline.com, 7 July 2025
  • The tax provisions covered in the outcome document are written in a general manner, but when read in tandem with the Sevilla Platform for Action, a stronger picture emerges of the U.N.’s goals for the next decade.
    Nana Ama Sarfo, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025
Noun
  • These events have become more frequent in recent years with the proliferation of personal devices powered by lithium-ion batteries, such as laptops, tablets, cell phones, vape pens and portable chargers.
    Suzanne Rowan Kelleher, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
  • In fact, the blocks were so easy to use that government and company officials who attended the kick-off event helped to build up one of the house’s walls after only a short lesson from Garrett.
    R. Christian Smith, Chicago Tribune, 8 July 2025
Noun
  • The rates are based on an assumption that workers are paid $15.75 an hour, although there's no requirement for employers to pay that rate.
    Cleo Krejci, jsonline.com, 8 July 2025
  • Select airports have begun to allow passengers to keep their shoes on while going through security checkpoints, and phasing out the requirement could soon extend to all airports nationwide.
    Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 8 July 2025
Noun
  • Magnolia may not be openly courting the trad contingent, but it’s certainly taken measures to avoid alienating that audience.
    Judy Berman, Time, 10 July 2025
  • At the Battle of White Plains on October 28, 1776, General George Washington’s soldiers were forced to retreat following an attack from a small contingent of British dragoons.
    Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 9 July 2025
Noun
  • Kootenai County Sheriff Robert Norris said at a news conference later Sunday afternoon that two firefighters were killed and another was fighting for his life, though in stable condition, after receiving surgery.
    Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 30 June 2025
  • In Connecticut, in asylum cases from Fiscal Year 2001 through May 2025, more than 37% of asylum decisions — involving people who are seeking relief from deportation because of conditions in their home country — were granted on their merits when defendants had legal representation.
    Renata Daou, Hartford Courant, 30 June 2025
Noun
  • So there were nipple covers or, in some cases, full breasts.
    Alex Ritman, Variety, 1 July 2025
  • The 30-month-long case, which thrust Idaho into the national spotlight, spanned several states as investigators searched for a suspect for nearly seven weeks.
    Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 1 July 2025
Noun
  • There is also no stipulation in Kohberger’s plea agreement to prevent him from doing interviews with media or writing a book.
    Taylor Romine, CNN Money, 3 July 2025
  • Day, who plays Charlie Kelly on the sitcom, said there were no off-limits stipulations from the network.
    Carson Blackwelder, People.com, 3 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Contingency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contingency. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.

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