Synonyms of emergency

emergency

noun

i-ˈmər-jən(t)-sē 

as in crisis

a time or state of affairs requiring prompt or decisive action

an alert, quick-thinking girl who is good to have around in an emergency

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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

Recent Examples of emergency

The surprises were abundant, too, including a temporary emergency evacuation on Day Two amid high winds that kicked up cowboy hats and dirt. —Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 27 Apr. 2026

During the closures, two lanes of the road will be closed, while one lane will be open for public transit, emergency responders and access to local streets. —Tim Fang, CBS News, 27 Apr. 2026

The high court allowed the Texas congressional map, passed by the state legislature last summer, to be used for the November elections in an emergency docket ruling late last year. —Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 27 Apr. 2026

Today, there are all kinds of possible emergencies. —Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 27 Apr. 2026