strait

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun strait differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of strait are contingency, crisis, emergency, exigency, juncture, pinch, and straits. While all these words mean "a critical or crucial time or state of affairs," strait, now commonly straits, applies to a troublesome situation from which escape is extremely difficult.

in dire straits

In what contexts can contingency take the place of strait?

In some situations, the words contingency and strait are roughly equivalent. However, contingency implies an emergency or exigency that is regarded as possible but uncertain of occurrence.

contingency plans

When might crisis be a better fit than strait?

The words crisis and strait are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, crisis applies to a juncture whose outcome will make a decisive difference.

a crisis of confidence

When is it sensible to use emergency instead of strait?

The meanings of emergency and strait largely overlap; however, emergency applies to a sudden unforeseen situation requiring prompt action to avoid disaster.

the presence of mind needed to deal with emergencies

Where would exigency be a reasonable alternative to strait?

While the synonyms exigency and strait are close in meaning, exigency stresses the pressure of restrictions or urgency of demands created by a special situation.

provide for exigencies

When would juncture be a good substitute for strait?

The words juncture and strait can be used in similar contexts, but juncture stresses the significant concurrence or convergence of events.

an important juncture in our country's history

How is pinch related to other words for strait?

Pinch implies urgency or pressure for action to a less intense degree than exigency or emergency.

come through in a pinch

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 strait At its narrowest point, the strait is about 21 miles wide, with two shipping lanes that are 2 miles wide in each direction. Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 June 2025 Iran is closing the strait, which is critical for global trade, in response to America's actions and the international community's inaction, the outlet reported. Henry J. Gomez, NBC news, 23 June 2025 While Iran’s parliament approved a motion to close the strait, a final decision lays with the country’s Supreme National Security Council, according to the BBC. Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 June 2025 Economists are especially concerned about retaliations that could disrupt the flow of oil, which is heavily dependent on the strait. Auzinea Bacon, CNN Money, 22 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for strait
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strait
Noun
  • This cooling neck gaiter protects your neck from getting a sunburn.
    Robin Raven, Travel + Leisure, 26 June 2025
  • Your neck and your upper body and your legs had to be very strong.
    Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 25 June 2025
Noun
  • To date, Operation UNITED has resulted in 33 positive identifications of people whose disappearance had left family members in anguish.
    Michael Kaplan, CBS News, 16 June 2025
  • Even so, the movie’s forceful visual shocks (executed mostly with practical effects) are easier to bear than its restlessly mounting anguish.
    Jeannette Catsoulis, New York Times, 29 May 2025
Noun
  • Authorities distributed a photo and suspect description via the department's official social media channels.
    Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 June 2025
  • Effective channels include leadership meetings, QBRs and internal newsletters. 5.
    Omer Glass, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025
Noun
  • Buildings continue to fall into economic distress because of government’s housing policies.
    Alva Badillo, New York Daily News, 29 June 2025
  • In line with these ideas, researchers published findings in 2023 that showed that meditation increased people’s concern for the suffering of others—and that, by comparison, people without this practice were more oriented to their own distress.
    Mariah G. Schug, Scientific American, 27 June 2025
Noun
  • The American Culture Quiz is a weekly test of our unique national traits, trends, history and people, including current events and the sights and sounds of the United States.
    Khloe Quill , Reem Amro, FOXNews.com, 22 June 2025
  • There are at least a dozen tables in the gymnasium, and walking in to the sound of all those clattering tiles is like being inside a machine of obscure but pleasing purpose.
    Han Ong, New Yorker, 22 June 2025
Noun
  • The class encompasses information about exercises to prepare the mother for birth, relaxation and coping techniques, pain control options, labor positioning, induction and C-section basics, recovery and welcoming baby.
    Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 June 2025
  • The effects can be diminished by drinking eight to 10 glasses of water per day, taking pain medications, blood transfusions, folic acid or a combination of other medications.
    Jane Tyska, Mercury News, 25 June 2025
Noun
  • As the volunteers were watching the whale, it was joined by a pod of dolphins in the bay, the organization said.
    Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 25 June 2025
  • Here, those louvers help extract heat from the engine bay.
    Lawrence Ulrich, Robb Report, 25 June 2025
Noun
  • But playing with an already-strained right calf, the Oshkosh, Wis., native stepped awkwardly towards the basket and crumbled to the court in agony when his leg appeared to pop.
    Sean Neumann, People.com, 24 June 2025
  • Finding alternatives that would end this agony would be one of American science’s most important achievements.
    Rachel Fobar, Vox, 14 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Strait.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strait. Accessed 6 Jul. 2025.

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