as in crossroads
a time or state of affairs requiring prompt or decisive action
the governor responded swiftly and surely to the crisis
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Recent Examples of crises
For instance, governments faced with large budget deficits—whether due to economic strain, political crises, or war—may resort to creating new money to finance spending.
—
Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Apr. 2026
While outlooks for young people looked increasingly dire due to economic crises and deep social divisions, the music became openly critical of Orbán’s government.
—Justin Spike, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2026
Hindustan Times | Getty Images Fatih Birol, head of the International Energy Agency, last week called the disruption the worst energy shock the world has ever seen — more severe than the oil crises of the 1970s and the Ukraine war combined.
—Anniek Bao, CNBC, 13 Apr. 2026
Some Haitians who joined the protest don’t work at the industrial park but wanted to express their frustration at Haiti’s spiraling crises, with gang violence surging and poverty deepening.
—ABC News, 13 Apr. 2026
To get a sense of the broader risk, HBR editor at large Adi Ignatius spoke with two academic experts who study finance and financial crises.
—Adi Ignatius, Harvard Business Review, 10 Apr. 2026
The purpose of investing in these services is to prevent crises from escalating.
—Jim Cook, Baltimore Sun, 9 Apr. 2026
For some, the war in Iran has raised urgent questions about how much attention the US can sustain if multiple crises unfold at once.
—Wayne Chang, CNN Money, 7 Apr. 2026
The company has put in place systems to screen users’ interactions with Gemini for signs of mental health crises, which will result in the chatbot referring the users to crisis hotlines.
—Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 7 Apr. 2026
Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Apr. 2026
While outlooks for young people looked increasingly dire due to economic crises and deep social divisions, the music became openly critical of Orbán’s government.
—Justin Spike, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2026
Hindustan Times | Getty Images Fatih Birol, head of the International Energy Agency, last week called the disruption the worst energy shock the world has ever seen — more severe than the oil crises of the 1970s and the Ukraine war combined.
—Anniek Bao, CNBC, 13 Apr. 2026
Some Haitians who joined the protest don’t work at the industrial park but wanted to express their frustration at Haiti’s spiraling crises, with gang violence surging and poverty deepening.
—ABC News, 13 Apr. 2026
To get a sense of the broader risk, HBR editor at large Adi Ignatius spoke with two academic experts who study finance and financial crises.
—Adi Ignatius, Harvard Business Review, 10 Apr. 2026
The purpose of investing in these services is to prevent crises from escalating.
—Jim Cook, Baltimore Sun, 9 Apr. 2026
For some, the war in Iran has raised urgent questions about how much attention the US can sustain if multiple crises unfold at once.
—Wayne Chang, CNN Money, 7 Apr. 2026
The company has put in place systems to screen users’ interactions with Gemini for signs of mental health crises, which will result in the chatbot referring the users to crisis hotlines.
—Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 7 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crises
Noun
-
In 2001, the crossroads was dramatic.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
15 Apr. 2026
-
With its cast of characters essentially plucked from Fugard’s early life in Port Elizabeth, the play introduces Hally (a stand-in for Fugard) at a crossroads.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Along the way there are medical emergencies, a drug trip, a private jet to a private Hot Chip concert somewhere mountainous and snowy, some unpleasant business with a dog, heartfelt conversations and existential crises.—
Robert Lloyd,
Boston Herald,
19 Apr. 2026
-
Conditions can change quickly during emergencies and delaying evacuation can put lives at risk.—
Paula Wethington,
CBS News,
18 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
His best fit would be with a team that needs an early-down rotational back or short-yardage option — 12 of his 16 touchdowns the past two seasons came in goal-to-go situations.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Apr. 2026
-
That includes things such as helicopters, specialized crews and technical support when situations escalate beyond what a single county can handle.—
Spencer Wilson,
CBS News,
13 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The likelihood of success in a second round of talks increases with the political exigencies and condition of those at the table.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
15 Apr. 2026
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Other neighbors were equally desperate, including Mohammad Izzo, 69, a school caretaker forced by the exigencies of war to become a groundskeeper for a makeshift cemetery at the campus located a short distance from Abdullah’s house.—
Nabih Bulos,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The younger two brothers float paper boats in the kitchen sink and Jeremy plays along, sprinkling flour on their heads—but making the kitchen a total mess.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
12 Apr. 2026
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Ordinary humans like Stephen’s selfish boss are depicted as giant walking eggs, while others are proportioned like bobble heads.—
Wilson Chapman,
IndieWire,
11 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Crises.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crises. Accessed 20 Apr. 2026.
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