Synonyms of crisis

crisis

noun

ˈkrī-səs 

as in emergency

a time or state of affairs requiring prompt or decisive action

the governor responded swiftly and surely to the crisis

Synonyms & Similar Words

• emergency
• situation
• crossroad(s)
• head
• extremity
• exigency
• crunch
• conjuncture
• crunch time
• juncture
• predicament
• flash point
• boiling point
• breaking point
• possibility
• Dunkirk
• moment of truth
• clutch
• tinderbox
• zero hour
• point of no return
• climax
• milestone
• contingency
• condition
• happening
• corner
• landmark
• impasse
• deadlock
• turning point
• hot water
• strait
• pass
• stalemate
• jam
• pinch
• last ditch
• fix
• hole
• spot
• eleventh hour
• last minute
• scrape

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

Recent Examples of crisis

Asia’s most populous countries are grappling with a graduate employment crisis, with huge numbers of young people entering job markets that lack roles to absorb them. — Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 1 Oct. 2026

France’s prime minister called an inter-ministerial crisis meeting for early afternoon to address the protests. — Joseph Ataman, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026

At the same time, large scholarship programs in states such as Florida and Arizona have accelerated a growing enrollment crisis in public schools. — Bianca Vázquez Toness, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026

When a student is experiencing a mental health crisis, Mitchell leads the school’s care response. — The Sacramento Bee Staff, Sacbee.com, 1 Oct. 2026