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 The mention of trains brings up the technological side of all these historic junctures. Big Think, 2 Apr. 2025 Sadly, college basketball is in unfettered disarray at this juncture. Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 5 Apr. 2025 New world powers were emerging then, trade routes were at stake and nations were aiming to snatch up critical junctures before their adversaries. Michael Loria, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2025 As the Basketball Africa League (BAL) begins its fifth season in Morocco, the league is at a crucial juncture—moving beyond its early stages with strong support from prominent global investors and a vision for lasting, pan-African impact. Sindiswa Mabunda, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for juncture
Recent Examples of Synonyms for juncture
Noun
  • Goodrich leads all scorers with 39 points in the 106-98 loss at Chicago. 1972 — Wilt Chamberlain plays his last pro basketball game.
    Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Read more: Warriors' Steve Kerr Offers Massive Update on Steph Curry Following Scary Injury Curry has been great for the Warriors this season, averaging 24.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, 6.0 assists, and 1.1 steals per game.
    Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Near the end of the rehabilitation project, there will be some pavement patching work at the north end near the junction of the Kennedy impedance.
    Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 11 Mar. 2025
  • Scientists think that plastics can disrupt this layer, burrowing between the tight junctions that hold the intestinal cells together.
    Claire Bugos, Verywell Health, 7 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • That’s a stark contrast to Ange Postecoglou’s high-intensity pressing style at Tottenham Hotspur, which is often cited as one of the reasons behind Spurs’ injury crisis and subsequent poor form this season.
    Steve Price, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Their routines, quiet and mundane, signal a growing — and largely invisible — crisis that threatens New York City’s future.
    Jonah Markowitz, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • From exciting games to memorable moments to big-time TV ratings, the debut of the 12-team College Football Playoff era looks like a success.
    Chris Vannini, The Athletic, 17 Jan. 2025
  • The brand’s fierce approach to business and creativity creates something not only exciting but contagious—a call to celebrate every moment with positivity, passion and purpose—and most importantly to be present.
    Jeetendr Sehdev, Forbes, 17 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • From education access to food waste and domestic violence prevention to visual impairment, the young innovators who earned a spot on this year’s 30 Under 30 Europe Social Impact list are creating scalable, impactful solutions at the intersection of technological innovation and social change.
    Brianne Garrett, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
  • The crash occurred shortly before 1 a.m. at the intersection of East 12th Street and Grand Avenue, Officer Alayna Gonzalez with the Kansas City Police Department.
    Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 14 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • 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
  • 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
Noun
  • Three in 5 Ecuadorians say their personal security and economic situations have not improved under Mr. Noboa’s short first term in office.
    Mie Hoejris Dahl, Christian Science Monitor, 14 Apr. 2025
  • The effort was a result of weeks of preparations by Chinese government officials who had been tasked with studying Trump’s policies and suggesting countermeasures that could be gradually scaled up, according to two people familiar with the situation.
    Beijing and Washington Bureaus, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Once at the hospital, he was put on dialysis, and emergency surgery was done to help relieve pressure building in his extremities, according to ESPN.
    Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 5 Apr. 2025
  • Blue or Red Skin in One Limb A blood clot within an extremity vein can cause the skin to turn pinkish, reddish, or discolored.3 This change in skin color is due to inflammation of the surrounding tissues caused by restricting blood flow back up to the heart.
    Alicen Nelson MD, Verywell Health, 27 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Juncture.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/juncture. Accessed 18 Apr. 2025.

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