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 With Sacramento having little wiggle room for improvement at this juncture, McNair and ownership decided to end things amicably. Mikai Bruce, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025 Most analysts believe Trump is unlikely to resort to force against Iran at this juncture, pointing to his decision to launch negotiations. Greg Myre, NPR, 11 Apr. 2025 This juncture of human inventiveness and sheer wonder, Maezawa felt, should be shared with the world. Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 31 Mar. 2025 The summit of leaders of nearly 30 countries plus NATO and European Union chiefs came at a crucial juncture in the more than three-year war, with intensifying diplomatic efforts to broker ceasefires, driven by pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump. Arkansas Online, 28 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for juncture
Recent Examples of Synonyms for juncture
Noun
  • At one point, physicians even considered halting treatment to allow Pope Francis to die peacefully.
    Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025
  • The point is, a little intention can encourage you to think twice before gossiping, Helander says, and prevent your conversation from slipping into cruel, purposeless trash talk.
    Jenna Ryu, SELF, 21 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The human body has many joints, which are essentially bone and muscle junctions held together with ligaments.
    Matt Parrott, Arkansas Online, 20 Apr. 2025
  • The signals are then received by intricate, branched filaments called dendrites and the junctions at which these structures connect are called synapses.
    Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 17 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The biggest challenges facing Fort Worth include the hiring of a new police chief during a mental health crisis that law enforcement is failing to address effectively.
    Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Apr. 2025
  • Production has slowed in recent years, sparking a nationwide crisis, yet people who step forward with solutions meet resistance.
    Daryl James, National Review, 19 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • These types of bird behaviors and unexpected sightings prompt me to capture more amazing moments and share my visual stories.
    Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 1 May 2025
  • Global awards are often swayed by what players feature on the grandest stages and produce the biggest, game-winning moments.
    Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Police responded to multiple calls just before 12:30 a.m. for a street takeover and fireworks being shot off at the intersection of Wakelee Avenue and Franklin Street, the Ansonia Police Department said.
    Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 27 Apr. 2025
  • Jason O'Bryan Jason O'Bryan has set up a professional life at the intersection of writing and cocktails.
    Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 26 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Now, Maineri heads into year 12 with 18 pitchers on his roster, hoping that rising junior Caleb Gilbert and sophomore-to-be Zach Hess will emerge at the top of the pitching rotation.
    John Roach, NOLA.com, 19 July 2017
  • Cal Fire representatives said the current parking mess has already impacted them because the driveway to their station enters the highway not far from the trail head.
    J. Harry Jones, Ramona Sentinel, 19 July 2017
Noun
  • The Ravens would love to reach an agreement on an extension with before the start of this season that would create a more tenable cap situation next year and beyond.
    Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2025
  • And if the situation isn’t that dire, if our geopolitical power under President Trump is still strong enough to influence the behavior of one small Latin American state, then the Trump administration is choosing to disobey the orders of our nation’s Supreme Court.
    Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 27 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Between the six patients, there were gunshots to the torso, face and other extremities, Howard said.
    Romy Ellenbogen, Miami Herald, 18 Apr. 2025
  • But the whole book is a wondrous exploration of the extremities of existence.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Juncture.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/juncture. Accessed 3 May. 2025.

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