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 this juncture, how can that not be among the possibilities that come to mind? — Bobby Burack Outkick, FOXNews.com, 28 Sep. 2026 Too many people had quit well before this juncture, which only abetted the Administration’s efforts to dismantle the federal bureaucracy. — Eyal Press, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2026 Sources tell The Star that, at least at this juncture, White would be welcomed back to play for the Jayhawks during the 2026-27 season. — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 23 Sep. 2026 Equally crystal at this juncture is that for the GOP, which is having a midterms-centric mini-convention in Dallas starting Wednesday, the key states for entertainment industry consolidation and growth are Texas and Georgia. — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 8 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for juncture
Recent Examples of Synonyms for juncture
Noun
  • Hur’s film declines to say who was behind the attack, and its detractors argue the open ending points the finger at Park or his government.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 7 Oct. 2026
  • City could face a points deduction or a relegation to a lower-tier league on top of fines or individual punishments for team executives.
    — Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 7 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Gins, Oudard said, sit at the crucial junction where agricultural output becomes textile industry input.
    — Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The approach, published in Energy & Environmental Science, could offer a route to surpass the conventional theoretical efficiency limit for single-junction solar cells.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 7 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • In its examination of Haiti’s deepening crisis, the panel detailed how influential figures in Haitian society continue to support armed gangs.
    — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2026
  • And then, largely as a byproduct of the scaremongering around the AIDS crisis, there was a sense of things going backwards.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 9 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • From its opening moments, Zoe Kazan’s epic, sprawling Netflix adaptation of John Steinbeck’s 1952 novel, East of Eden, announces that the monstrous Cathy Ames (played by Florence Pugh) is the true center of the story.
    — Jasmine Vojdani, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2026
  • There are these hybrid opportunities to cross-pollinate our incredible products, as well as big moments happening in culture.
    — Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • What all three films have in common, aside from various intersections and overlaps in their stories, is their repositioning of tech billionaires as the new screen villains.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2026
  • County officials said the intersection meets the criteria for a traffic signal based on peak-hour traffic conditions.
    — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 7 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Rooms While many Los Angeles hotels lean into palm trees and poolside glamour, Moxy heads for the desert.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Oct. 2026
  • For Rebeca Aguilar, head of international distribution at Movistar Plus, co-productions offer more than financial backing.
    — Emiliano de Pablos, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Now, the aging superstar finds himself in an awkward situation where no one wants to be – overstaying his welcome like that uncle at Thanksgiving or Christmas who can’t read the room.
    — Ben Church, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2026
  • When a call is overturned, Baseball Savant measures the difference in run expectancy between the situation before the pitch/challenge and the situation after the call is flipped.
    — Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The driver then reversed, freeing the man, who suffered severe injuries to his lower extremities.
    — Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 1 Oct. 2026
  • The man had sustained multiple gunshot wounds to his extremities, including his arms and legs.
    — Ricky Sayer, CBS News, 28 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Juncture.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/juncture. Accessed 12 Oct. 2026.

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