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 The second film, made two years into the war, in 2024, was shot in various camps across Europe and the US, where Ukrainian refugees resided alongside those fleeing other conflicts and crises. Joanna Warsza, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2025 In the dramedy, Clooney plays the titular Kelly, a disillusioned movie star having a personal crisis. Eric Andersson, PEOPLE, 1 Oct. 2025 Also, Isaac helps Patience (Mary Holland) through a crisis of confidence and Pete and Alberta navigate the fallout from their kiss. Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 1 Oct. 2025 Through these episodes, Mercedes shares information about AFSP and emergency mental health services, the 988-suicide and crisis lifeline number. Alyssa N. Salcedo, jsonline.com, 1 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for crisis
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crisis
Noun
  • At least three students are dead and dozens of others may be trapped in the rubble following the collapse at the Al Khoziny boarding school in Sidoarjo, a town about 780 km east of Jakarta, federal emergency officials said.
    Britt Clennett, ABC News, 30 Sep. 2025
  • Non-Hispanic white people were more likely patients, at 58% of emergency visits and 63% of hospitalizations.
    Shaun McKinnon, AZCentral.com, 30 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The situation should remind us of dozens of economic bubbles from the past, ranging from 17th Century Dutch tulips to credit default swaps in 2008.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
  • There’s no question Falvey is in an increasingly difficult situation due to the Pohlads’ unwillingness to invest in the roster he’s tasked with building.
    Aaron Gleeman, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Similarly, Black-eyed Susans ()—including Goldsturm—develop rich seed heads that support birds such as juncos, sparrows and towhees.
    Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Mthethwa also faced an ongoing probe that heard allegations by a provincial police commissioner who accused him of attempting to obstruct the prosecution of a former head of South Africa’s Crime Intelligence Services who was being investigated for corruption.
    Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Historically, lower extremity fracture has ranked ninth in terms of most prevalent injury.
    Maya Silver, Outside, 29 Sep. 2025
  • Based on her history of heterosexual extremity, I was concerned, but glad to be proven wrong.
    Rachel Handler, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The other two, Troy Terry and Lukáš Dostál, both signed long deals (seven and five years, respectively) as RFAs without requiring a holdout, though both had the exigency of arbitration eligibility motivating a swifter resolution.
    Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 19 Sep. 2025
  • The political exigencies that faced the American literary public were of a different set.
    Elaine L. Wang September 11, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The butteriness, the texture, and the slight crunch really bring the tartness of the pie together.
    Amber Love Bond, Southern Living, 4 Oct. 2025
  • The funding crunch has led to program and service cuts, according to a February 2025 survey of 75 programs by End Abuse and the Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault that is referenced in the homicide report.
    Ashley Luthern, jsonline.com, 4 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Crisis.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crisis. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.

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