Synonym Chooser

How does the noun crisis differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of crisis are contingency, emergency, exigency, juncture, pinch, straits, and strait. While all these words mean "a critical or crucial time or state of affairs," crisis applies to a juncture whose outcome will make a decisive difference.

a crisis of confidence

Where would contingency be a reasonable alternative to crisis?

The words contingency and crisis are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, contingency implies an emergency or exigency that is regarded as possible but uncertain of occurrence.

contingency plans

When would emergency be a good substitute for crisis?

The meanings of emergency and crisis largely overlap; however, emergency applies to a sudden unforeseen situation requiring prompt action to avoid disaster.

the presence of mind needed to deal with emergencies

When is it sensible to use exigency instead of crisis?

In some situations, the words exigency and crisis are roughly equivalent. However, exigency stresses the pressure of restrictions or urgency of demands created by a special situation.

provide for exigencies

When is juncture a more appropriate choice than crisis?

Although the words juncture and crisis have much in common, 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 crisis?

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 crisis?

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 crisis Central banks typically limit rate moves to quarter-point changes outside of crises. Ryan Patrick Jones, USA Today, 7 June 2025 During Chicago’s migrant crisis that began in 2022, new arrivals often sought official government identification while their federal asylum applications remained in limbo. Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 6 June 2025 Widely regarded as one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time, Flair survived a near-fatal health crisis in August 2017. Andrew Ravens‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 June 2025 Guess was able to accelerate product deliveries to mitigate against potential disruptions from the ongoing Red Sea crisis. Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 6 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for crisis
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crisis
Noun
  • The crew initiated emergency firefighting procedures with the ship's onboard fire-suppression system.
    Shane Croucher John Feng, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 June 2025
  • Try planning and rehearsing for potential emergencies ahead of time.
    Brittney Melton, NPR, 5 June 2025
Noun
  • When Crosby was finally ready to go, Tsamis signed him and immediately put him into a pressure situation.
    Paul Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 3 June 2025
  • Many questions remain about the Astros’ handling of Yordan Alvarez’s situation.
    Chandler Rome, New York Times, 2 June 2025
Noun
  • There's always one shot that leaves a golfer shaking his or her head.
    Mike Hutton, Post-Tribune, 19 July 2017
  • Delimitros said one of the truck’s side view mirrors struck her in the head, causing minor injuries.
    David Hernandez, sandiegouniontribune.com, 19 July 2017
Noun
  • The archaeologists eliminated soldiers on the lists who survived or lost an extremity.
    CBS News, CBS News, 4 June 2025
  • Edema is often caused by poor circulation, leading the build-up of fluid in the lower extremities (especially the ankles and feet).
    Catherine Moyer, Verywell Health, 22 May 2025
Noun
  • Just as the imperatives of war led to the development of the SNA in the 1940s, the new exigencies of a world riven by trade wars, geopolitical instability, and supply shocks require a modern statistical framework.
    Diane Coyle, Foreign Affairs, 16 May 2025
  • The point is that the exigencies of the Preakness and its tough placement within the Triple Crown demands that the fresh horses be looked at freshly and that the Derby horses be thrown a little shade.
    Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
Noun
  • Mongolia is facing an economic crunch with government spending rising 20% year-on-year for the first four months of 2025 but goods exports falling by 13% over the same period, owed not least to a 39% decline in coal exports.
    Charlie Campbell, Time, 13 June 2025
  • Exercise 1: Foot doming This exercise is like doing crunches for your feet.
    Andee Tagle, NPR, 7 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Crisis.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crisis. Accessed 16 Jun. 2025.

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