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, Marlowe hunters can head in one of two directions. Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025 Lazard certainly wouldn't be expensive at this juncture, and Green Bay could probably acquire him for the cheap cost of a seventh-round draft pick. Matthew Schmidt, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Sep. 2025 At that moment, Pasquantino faced a critical juncture. Kansas City Star, 28 Aug. 2025 Tough call with Toro NEW YORK – The Red Sox made a slew of roster moves Thursday afternoon in preparation for a crucial four-game series at Yankee Stadium, including the designation for assignment of a player who helped stabilize their infield at a crucial juncture earlier this season. Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 21 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for juncture
Recent Examples of Synonyms for juncture
Noun
  • Trolling crank baits along points and flats 15 feet deep over deeper water should still work.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Sep. 2025
  • All perfumes pull a disappearing act at some point during the day, but Coty has figured out a way to make their fragrances less fleeting.
    Megan McIntyre, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The gunmen, who arrived at the junction in a vehicle carrying weapons, ammunition and a knife, shot at dozens of people waiting near buses in the area.
    Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Members of Israel's ZAKA search and rescue emergency services collect samples at the scene of a shooting at the Ramot road junction in east Jerusalem on September 8, 2025.
    Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The growing costs to buy and maintain a car –exacerbated by inflation and tariffs –are leading to rising auto loan defaults and repossessions and a potential crisis for American consumers left unprotected by the federal government, according to a new report by a consumer advocacy organization.
    Betty Lin-Fisher, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
  • In a bizarre twist, that denial letter listed her husband as the patient but made reference to the care of a newborn, not that of a 52-year-old man having a mental health crisis.
    Duaa Eldeib, ProPublica, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • As with any career as long as his, there have been moments when perhaps his aesthetic wasn’t so aligned with where fashion was going, but mention that and Roversi will gently put it to one side.
    Mark Holgate, Vogue, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Advertisement This is a dark moment for America.
    Chad de Guzman, Time, 11 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Sonic’s newest Sacramento-area restaurant is at 5873 Antelope Road in Citrus Heights, near the intersection with Roseville Road.
    Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 13 Sep. 2025
  • Roxbury Prep is just blocks away from the intersection of Melnea Cass Boulevard and Massachusetts Avenue.
    Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 13 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Cherry breaks a Champagne flute on her own head and runs out of the gallery, screaming that Laura attacked her.
    Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Fowler's character, Randall, gets involved in the group of true crime enthusiasts when he's promoted to the position of head doorman at the Arconia after Lester's death.
    Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • That’s the situation more pet owners are facing these days.
    Wyles Daniel, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Getty Images The San Francisco 49ers quarterback situation for their upcoming Week 2 game against the New Orleans Saints may not be Purdy.
    Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Even short periods of convalescence, from one to three days, increase the likelihood of a condition called deep venous thrombosis, which can cause clots to break loose in the extremities and travel through the bloodstream, passing through the heart and lodging in the lungs.
    Paul Sisson, Mercury News, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Thomas dove in and swam with Malibu, popping up simultaneously from the water and resting their extremities — his arms, her fins — on the edge of the pool.
    Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

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

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