Synonym Chooser

How does the noun emergency differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of emergency are contingency, crisis, exigency, juncture, pinch, straits, and strait. While all these words mean "a critical or crucial time or state of affairs," emergency applies to a sudden unforeseen situation requiring prompt action to avoid disaster.

the presence of mind needed to deal with emergencies

When is contingency a more appropriate choice than emergency?

The words contingency and emergency can be used in similar contexts, but contingency implies an emergency or exigency that is regarded as possible but uncertain of occurrence.

contingency plans

When is it sensible to use crisis instead of emergency?

The synonyms crisis and emergency are sometimes interchangeable, but crisis applies to a juncture whose outcome will make a decisive difference.

a crisis of confidence

Where would exigency be a reasonable alternative to emergency?

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

provide for exigencies

When would juncture be a good substitute for emergency?

The meanings of juncture and emergency largely overlap; however, juncture stresses the significant concurrence or convergence of events.

an important juncture in our country's history

How is pinch related to other words for emergency?

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 emergency?

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 emergency Adults will be required to provide emergency contact information for any child registered, and kids must be present to get their badge. Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Sep. 2025 Designed specifically for civil protection applications, the robot combines intuitive control, artificial intelligence, and rugged mechanical design to assist emergency workers in some of the most challenging environments. Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 29 Sep. 2025 Charleston, South Carolina, declared a local state of emergency Saturday and began distributing sandbags and clearing storm drains. Briana Waxman, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2025 According to Renye, police officers responded to the scene of the attack Sunday morning within 30 seconds of the first emergency call going out. Joe Hernandez, NPR, 29 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for emergency
Recent Examples of Synonyms for emergency
crisis
Noun
  • His latest protest fits into his activism against war and follows previous arrests for disrupting Senate hearings over Gaza and domestic health crises.
    Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
  • In her usual soft-spoken British accent, she was known for balancing the grim realities of the climate crisis with a sincere message of hope for the future.
    Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

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

More from Merriam-Webster on emergency

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