Definition of juncturenext

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun juncture differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of juncture are contingency, crisis, emergency, exigency, pinch, straits, and strait. While all these words mean "a critical or crucial time or state of affairs," juncture stresses the significant concurrence or convergence of events.

an important juncture in our country's history

In what contexts can contingency take the place of juncture?

While the synonyms contingency and juncture are close in meaning, contingency implies an emergency or exigency that is regarded as possible but uncertain of occurrence.

contingency plans

Where would crisis be a reasonable alternative to juncture?

Although the words crisis and juncture have much in common, crisis applies to a juncture whose outcome will make a decisive difference.

a crisis of confidence

When might emergency be a better fit than juncture?

The words emergency and juncture are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, emergency applies to a sudden unforeseen situation requiring prompt action to avoid disaster.

the presence of mind needed to deal with emergencies

When would exigency be a good substitute for juncture?

While in some cases nearly identical to juncture, exigency stresses the pressure of restrictions or urgency of demands created by a special situation.

provide for exigencies

How does the word pinch relate to other synonyms for juncture?

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 juncture?

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 juncture At one juncture, Bassichis recounts a routine that Maya did about coming out as gay to his father, a devout Catholic who reassured him that their family would pay any price for a cure. Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 4 June 2026 The Obama center, too, is an act of city planning, a newly lively juncture connecting the park to the Midway Plaisance and the University of Chicago campus. Justin Davidson, Curbed, 4 June 2026 The city is at a difficult juncture. Michael R. Blood, Chicago Tribune, 1 June 2026 To that end, this debacle has put Martin’s job in jeopardy – and rightly so – at a critical juncture. Douglas Schoen, Oc Register, 28 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for juncture
Recent Examples of Synonyms for juncture
Noun
  • The Spurs stayed cold, allowing the Knicks to tie the game on Brunson’s 40th point – a high layup off the top of the glass with Wembanyama on the bench.
    Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 14 June 2026
  • Brunson scored 13 consecutive points in the fourth quarter for the Knicks, who overcame double-digit deficits in all four of their victories against the Spurs.
    Tim Reynolds, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2026
Noun
  • The town sits at the base of Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in the Alps, and its location near the junction of France, Switzerland, and Italy makes day trips to other European countries a breeze.
    Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 3 June 2026
  • The ever-growing Grove just got a new restaurant at the junction of Grand Avenue and Main Highway.
    Connie Ogle Updated May 28, Miami Herald, 28 May 2026
Noun
  • Alas, as the current crisis confirms, such mere facts do not persuade those leading the anti-vaccine crusade that threatens both existing protections and the hope of creating new ones.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 June 2026
  • Haiti is one of the world’s poorest countries, in the grip of a political and humanitarian crisis.
    Oliver Kay, New York Times, 11 June 2026
Noun
  • For Larry Nemecek, president of the Will Rogers Ranch Foundation, the centennial arrives at a pivotal moment for both Route 66 and the historic ranch as stakeholders consider how best to preserve and reinterpret Rogers’ legacy following the fire.
    Daily News, Daily News, 9 June 2026
  • But one of the loudest cheers came in the first quarter's waning moments, when backup big man Mitchell Robinson made a free throw that seemed to bounce off of every part of the rim.
    Andrew Greif, NBC news, 9 June 2026
Noun
  • The 41-year-old woman was located by police Wednesday night near a column of smoke at the intersection of Churchill Downs Avenue and Santa Anita Drive on Woodland’s north side, the release said.
    Sean Campbell, Sacbee.com, 12 June 2026
  • Their preliminary investigation revealed that an 18-year-old woman from Hemet was driving a Nissan Rogue on Lincoln Avenue, approaching the intersection to turn left onto Ramona Expressway.
    Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 11 June 2026
Noun
  • From the Neolithic rock art of what is now Libya to ancient Egypt, China and India, to medieval and Renaissance Europe, creatures at borderlands of what was taken to be civilization were represented as cynocephalic, that is, humans with dog heads.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 June 2026
  • In the gallery, Austin's brother, Hunter Metcalf, lowered his head into his hands, visibly shaken.
    Doug Myers, CBS News, 10 June 2026
Noun
  • Qatari negotiators, in coordination with the United States, have flown to Tehran Sunday morning to help facilitate the finalization of the agreement, a source with knowledge of the situation told CNN.
    Kevin Liptak, CNN Money, 14 June 2026
  • Namely, while classic tragicomedy places comedic figures in a tragic setting—pitting being against situation—newer navigations turn to intermedia to navigate both/and-ness.
    Eugenie Brinkema, ARTnews.com, 14 June 2026
Noun
  • No serious person can look at the evidence on anxiety, self-harm, addictive design, sexualized content, violent material and algorithmic extremity and conclude that nothing must change.
    Belonging Forum, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026
  • Police said the victim was stabbed multiple times on his body and on his extremities.
    Mike Darnay, CBS News, 11 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Juncture.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/juncture. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.

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