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 Obviously, there are probably changes that need to happen that aren’t even possible at this juncture. — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Oct. 2026 But the Hurricanes aren’t putting too much stock into that ranking at this juncture. — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 18 Oct. 2026 At the current juncture, the SI Force seems toothless, though, unless Ferguson is right that existing consumer protection laws cover this new kind of harm. — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 15 Oct. 2026 To that juncture, the starting five were a combined 1 of 10 for a grand total of three points. — Jeff McDonald, San Antonio Express-News, 15 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for juncture
Recent Examples of Synonyms for juncture
Noun
  • Purdue cut its deficit to 10 with a three-point play from former UConn target Caden Pierce three minutes into the second half, but Demary answered with his own physical finish, plus a free throw, at the other end.
    — Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Other recent polls conducted by SurveyUSA, TrueDot and ActiVote have found Becerra leads by at least 20 points.
    — Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 28 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Shockley later developed the junction transistor, further advancing the technology.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Police have lined the junction, with no obvious route out for the group.
    — Joseph Ataman, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Guichard Doré, a former adviser to President Jovenel Moïse, whose assassination in 2021 set off the current gang crisis, said Haitians are reaching a breaking point.
    — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 30 Oct. 2026
  • By preparing for prolonged power disruptions, securing essential supplies, diversifying production and strengthening communications, the United States is seeking to reduce the risk that a major crisis could interrupt its ability to defend itself.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 30 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The music as a whole seems to reflect all of this moment-to-moment action at a larger structural level, shifting from one overlapping movement to the next according to the same fractal geometry that governs the beat.
    — Andy Cush, Pitchfork, 31 Oct. 2026
  • Elle Fanning, currently embracing the gloriously eccentric wardrobe of her Hunger Games character Effie Trinket, has already delivered some spectacular millinery moments on the press tour for Sunrise on the Reaping.
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 30 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The Chiefs haven’t announced an address for their new home, except that it will be constructed near The Legends in Wyandotte County, near the intersection of Interstates 70 and 435.
    — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 28 Oct. 2026
  • The 6-year-old disembarked with several other young students and attempted to cross the busy intersection of Barrington and Lanecrest drives.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 28 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Pre-dinner, most passengers sip cocktails in Dolce Vita, and later, some head to Panorama Lounge for after-dinner liqueurs and live music.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Oct. 2026
  • The head of state arrived overnight Saturday following Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s surprise operation to remove Constitution Tribunal President Bogdan Swieczkowski and install an interim head of the court.
    — Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 31 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • That count includes troops who died in medical events and other situations that do not have a direct connection to the conflict, with 18 service members having been killed from Iranian strikes, combat aircraft crashes or disposal of Iranian drones.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Gottschalck said the drought situations are expected to persist this winter across the Midwest.
    — Ava Berger, NPR, 29 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • There’s also research linking lower-extremity strength to better cognitive function in older adults.
    — Jenessa Connor, HEALTH, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Prosecutors said Guillen suffered 54 sharp-force wounds, including 45 stab wounds to her face, head, neck and extremities.
    — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Juncture.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/juncture. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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