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
Alarmingly, in simulated war games designed to mirror Cold-War-style nuclear crises, AI models overwhelmingly escalated toward nuclear options, choosing tactical nuclear action in 95% of scenarios and rarely opting for de-escalation.
—
Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 3 Mar. 2026
Even gold was caught up in the selling frenzy, odd for a safe haven asset usually turned to during times of crises.
—Sarah Min, CNBC, 3 Mar. 2026
Unlike previous crises, many residents have not left the city.
—Pegah Banihashemi, Chicago Tribune, 3 Mar. 2026
But watching the people at Terra work stirs a feeling that solutions to these crises may indeed come from young people spurred to think up solutions by their proximity to — and in some cases, perhaps, personal experience with — the crises.
—Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 2 Mar. 2026
Supporters maintain the fund is still needed to quickly respond to crises in a hurricane-prone state — and is an improvement over how the state operated in the past, when the emergency management agency would simply spend at a deficit.
—Kate Payne, Sun Sentinel, 1 Mar. 2026
Trump is not eligible to run in 2028, but his incessant staging of crises makes elections more fragile—and the primary results less predictable.
—Amy Davidson Sorkin, New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2026
Rising health care costs and chronic disease are not separate crises.
—Robert Pearl, Twin Cities, 1 Mar. 2026
The war prompted demographic and economic crises.
—Kevin Shalvey, ABC News, 24 Feb. 2026
Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 3 Mar. 2026
Even gold was caught up in the selling frenzy, odd for a safe haven asset usually turned to during times of crises.
—Sarah Min, CNBC, 3 Mar. 2026
Unlike previous crises, many residents have not left the city.
—Pegah Banihashemi, Chicago Tribune, 3 Mar. 2026
But watching the people at Terra work stirs a feeling that solutions to these crises may indeed come from young people spurred to think up solutions by their proximity to — and in some cases, perhaps, personal experience with — the crises.
—Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 2 Mar. 2026
Supporters maintain the fund is still needed to quickly respond to crises in a hurricane-prone state — and is an improvement over how the state operated in the past, when the emergency management agency would simply spend at a deficit.
—Kate Payne, Sun Sentinel, 1 Mar. 2026
Trump is not eligible to run in 2028, but his incessant staging of crises makes elections more fragile—and the primary results less predictable.
—Amy Davidson Sorkin, New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2026
Rising health care costs and chronic disease are not separate crises.
—Robert Pearl, Twin Cities, 1 Mar. 2026
The war prompted demographic and economic crises.
—Kevin Shalvey, ABC News, 24 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crises
Noun
-
Several teams around the league appear to be at a crossroads of sorts, and there could be opportunities this summer as a result.—
Arpon Basu,
New York Times,
3 Mar. 2026
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Davion Mitchell has been here before, the risk-reward crossroads between going full speed, shoulder first through a hard screen or practicing prudence.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Her case was among a small number of emergencies involving women, who make up less than 10% of the camp’s population.—
Morgan Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2026
-
The Department of War is looking at this right now in terms of trying to figure out how to facilitate power needs if there's a forward operating base or for national emergencies.—
March 8,
CBS News,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
In situations of more extreme mental health issues, teens may not have the tools to navigate difficult feelings and instead, repress and compartmentalize their feelings as a way to cope.—
Staff Author,
Parents,
9 Mar. 2026
-
These cuts contribute to deeper poverty, more crowded living situations and poor sanitation that create an ideal environment for the world’s deadliest disease, the Stanford researcher said.—
Chase Hunter,
Mercury News,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
You logical minds cannot understand the exigencies of art.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
26 Feb. 2026
-
This diagnosis, obviously, was an enormous gut-wrenching shock, and the exigencies of Greg’s life were instantly and inexorably altered.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
28 Aug. 2020
Noun
-
Video circulating on social media shows tense moments inside the cabin as passengers were instructed to put their heads down and raise their hands while armed officers entered the plane.—
Milena Malaver,
Miami Herald,
7 Mar. 2026
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Members of the mother’s group, Walker’s family and advocates, held hands and in unison bowed their heads to listen.—
Mariana Navarrete Villegas,
Hartford Courant,
7 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Crises.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crises. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
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