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 Arsenal is at a crucial juncture of the season. Graham Ruthven, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026 Did the dates and times printed on these sleepy flyers arrive at some juncture somewhere in the world, and did children really congregate to do science experiments? Literary Hub, 27 Jan. 2026 With the Sundance Film Festival in its final Utah season before relocating to Boulder, Colorado, in 2027 — and Park City set to welcome the 2034 Winter Olympics — the ski town is at a momentous juncture. Elycia Rubin, HollywoodReporter, 27 Jan. 2026 Leerhsen’s speech at a City Club of Chicago luncheon comes at a critical juncture for the CTA. Chicago Tribune, 23 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for juncture
Recent Examples of Synonyms for juncture
Noun
  • Here is a selection of data points that provides a glance at Cincinnati.
    David Ferrara, Cincinnati Enquirer, 8 Feb. 2026
  • The importance of motive At this point, there’s little to suggest the motive is political or ideological, Leising said.
    Chris Kenning, USA Today, 8 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Creating reliable molecular junctions at the nanometer scale Building molecular junctions requires electrodes spaced less than 3 nanometers apart.
    Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 31 Jan. 2026
  • Astrocytes, which outnumber neurons in many brain regions, have complex and varied shapes, and sometimes tendrils, that can envelop hundreds of thousands or millions of synapses, the junctions where neurons exchange molecular signals.
    Ingrid Wickelgren, Quanta Magazine, 30 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • The trek aimed to promote national healing, unity and compassion as the nation faces challenges of division, mental health crises and conflict both at home and abroad.
    Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 11 Feb. 2026
  • Each of these three leaders faces a crisis on the world stage but also with their own conscience.
    Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 11 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • And while their steamy, sweaty dalliances are hot and heavy (albeit mostly clothed), most swoonworthy are the smaller moments, like Heathcliff gently cupping his hands to keep the rain out of Cathy’s eyes.
    Brian Truitt, USA Today, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Writing is taking moments in time and recording them.
    Daisy Jones, Vogue, 10 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Crowds appeared to dwindle as tensions rose near ICE's Los Angeles Field Office at the intersection of East Temple and North Alameda streets.
    Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 5 Feb. 2026
  • The intersection is controlled by stop signs, and many vehicles using the area are either getting onto southbound Highway 160 or exiting northbound Highway 160.
    Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 5 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Chinese companies have excelled at rapid deployment in consumer-facing applications and integrating AI into industrial use, said Deepika Giri, head of AI research at market research firm IDC.
    John Liu, CNN Money, 11 Feb. 2026
  • At one point, the individual appears to tilt their head away from a doorbell camera, hold a flashlight in their mouth and attempt to cover the lens with a gloved hand and what looked like part of a plant pulled from the yard.
    Bradford Betz , Matt Finn, FOXNews.com, 11 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • The sense is the Panthers would bring Rozeboom back at the right price, while trying to limit his exposure in passing situations.
    Joseph Person, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
  • So any dog that comes in from a criminal case, from the streets, found as a stray — no matter what the situation is, the ACC has to take that animal.
    Kate Aurthur, Variety, 8 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Cabot experienced firsthand the extremity of public shaming that women have long experienced when in the negative spotlight of the media, one their male counterparts often seem to avoid.
    Greta Cross, USA Today, 5 Feb. 2026
  • Konfidenz gets at how paranoia, especially the hyper-vigilant attention and the ever-present heat of standing too close to dangerous extremities of action and emotion, can sometime feel, scrambledly, like love.
    James Folta, Literary Hub, 5 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Juncture.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/juncture. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.

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