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 Acting star Toby Jones has suggested the UK drama sector is going through an existential crisis as its grapples with developments such as the rise of AI and competition from globals streamers as well as growing income barriers for entry into the creative industries. Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 30 June 2025 Rather than questioning the existence of a teen mental-health crisis, Richtel seeks to contextualize it. Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 30 June 2025 The delay in filing charges was blamed on a backlog of nearly 10,000 cases because of a court staffing crisis as well as a decision by former Los Angeles County Dist. Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2025 Even amid crises, the system generates new leaders, factions, and power centers. Narges Bajoghli, Time, 19 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for crisis
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crisis
Noun
  • What began as an emergency measure in rare cases has become a standard investigative tool used thousands of times each year.
    Lars Daniel, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025
  • Fort Lauderdale officials have not yet decided how to spend the money, although $4.8 million might go toward creating the city’s own emergency reserve in case the Federal Emergency Management Agency goes away.
    Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 29 June 2025
Noun
  • His situation has parallels with Carl Rushworth, who has run out of patience at the Amex Stadium.
    Andy Naylor, New York Times, 27 June 2025
  • Furthermore, in other situations, planting one that’s too large might be of concern as well, especially if the surrounding area is better suited for bedding cover, staging areas, water sources, etc.
    Josh Honeycutt, Outdoor Life, 26 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
  • While no one reported seeing the shark, the victim had injuries consistent with a shark bite on an upper extremity, the chief said.
    Olivia Lloyd, Miami Herald, 11 June 2025
  • The archaeologists eliminated soldiers on the lists who survived or lost an extremity.
    CBS News, CBS News, 4 June 2025
Noun
  • The judges repeatedly stressed an 1827 Supreme Court decision, Martin v. Mott, that gives the president exclusive authority to decide whether an exigency justifying the use of military power has arisen.
    Zach Schonfeld, The Hill, 17 June 2025
  • That note of concern has resonated ever more loudly as observers deepened their exploration of adaptive design, made in conditions of actual exigency.
    Glenn Adamson, Artforum, 1 June 2025
Noun
  • Miles Wood, Colorado Avalanche After re-signing Brock Nelson to a three-year, $7.5 million annual average value contract extension, the Avalanche are in a bit of a cap crunch.
    Harman Dayal, New York Times, 21 June 2025
  • The housing crunch here is real—vacancy rates sat at just 0.46% in 2024.
    Johan Hajji, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Crisis.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crisis. Accessed 7 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on crisis

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!