JUNCTURE Synonyms: 98 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

juncture

noun

ˈjəŋ(k)-chər

Definition of juncture next

as in point

a particular and often important moment in time at the present juncture, I think the country is looking for a strong president

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in junction

a place where two or more things are united the water is leaking at the juncture of those two pipes

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in crisis

a time or state of affairs requiring prompt or decisive action we have now arrived at a juncture where something must be done to avert war

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 In fact, the Americana at Brand Memes Instagram account is currently running a March Madness-style bracket of the city’s worst junctures. —

Terry Castleman, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2026 The leadership turnover comes at a critical juncture, with the county struggling to increase staffing at the jail, which is under a legal agreement with the Department of Justice to improve deplorable conditions there. —

Cassidy Alexander, AJC.com, 7 Mar. 2026 This is a critical juncture for the safety and standard of living for the American public. —

Michael F. Gorman, Fortune, 6 Mar. 2026 The first responders included a police officer who had been posted at an important juncture where runners move from a city street onto a colorful footbridge, with only a handful of turns remaining before the half marathon's finish. —

Bill Chappell, NPR, 5 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for juncture

Recent Examples of Synonyms for juncture

Noun

And the 6-9, 250-pound Boozer started to act like his brother Cayden, getting the ball up top in a point forward role on several possessions and then driving downhill.

— Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 22 Mar. 2026
My father, at this point, was laying on the couch, half asleep.

— Peter Van Sant, CBS News, 22 Mar. 2026