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 Republished on September 15 with Samsung’s confirmation that One UI 8 is now rolling out, and the implications for users given this emergency security update. Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025 The next day, the White House and the Treasury Department announced that the Fed had agreed to maintain its existing policy for the duration of the security emergency. John Cassidy, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025 In emergency response, first responders could carry several MAVs and launch them into disaster zones to assess damage or locate survivors in areas too dangerous to enter. Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 15 Sep. 2025 His emergency takeover has since expired. Sudiksha Kochi, USA Today, 15 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for emergency
Recent Examples of Synonyms for emergency
crisis
Noun
  • The growing costs to buy and maintain a car –exacerbated by inflation and tariffs –are leading to rising auto loan defaults and repossessions and a potential crisis for American consumers left unprotected by the federal government, according to a new report by a consumer advocacy organization.
    Betty Lin-Fisher, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
  • In a bizarre twist, that denial letter listed her husband as the patient but made reference to the care of a newborn, not that of a 52-year-old man having a mental health crisis.
    Duaa Eldeib, ProPublica, 10 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Emergency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/emergency. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on emergency

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