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 Listen to this article Progressive mayoral hopeful Jessica Ramos, whose campaign is in financial dire straits amid flagging fundraising, hired a new campaign manager this week who was recently fired as a top aide to one of her opponents, the Daily News has learned. Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 18 Mar. 2025 And there were boastful messages about finding a way to get Europe to pay for the operation — but nothing about China, which benefits hugely from the trade passing through the straits near Yemen, including much of its oil imports and its exports to Europe. Steven Erlanger, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2025 The area around the strait in the past has seen Iran seize commercial ships and purportedly launch attacks since President Donald Trump first unilaterally withdrew America from Tehran's nuclear deal with world powers. Graham Underwood, arkansasonline.com, 12 Mar. 2025 China claims sovereignty over the entire strait even though in accordance with international law its sovereignty ends after the 12-nautical-mile-wide territorial sea. Matt Robison, Newsweek, 18 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for strait
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strait
Noun
  • But their magnum opus was 1978’s Dub Housing, where Thomas shows off his collection of animal noises, grunts, yelps, and screeches, up to his neck in industrial synth-and-guitar factory noise.
    Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 25 Apr. 2025
  • Hendry, whose career experienced a significant upswing in the past year, marked by viral moments and positive impressions on WWE officials during his NXT appearances in late 2024 and early 2025, stepped into the WrestleMania spotlight after Kevin Owens was sidelined due to a neck injury.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • But Season 2, by leaning so far into its characters’ anguish, has become more circular and suffocating in its storytelling.
    Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Coogler attempts to out-scare Jordan Peele’s Get Out, using horror tropes to match the anguish expressed by the blues.
    Armond White, National Review, 18 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • BenQ says the second blue channel boosts brightness and improves color accuracy.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 26 Apr. 2025
  • Where to watch Pope Francis' funeral: TV channels, livestream, more Contributing: John Bacon, Eric Lagatta, Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, Anthony Robledo and Mary Walrath-Holdridge Mike Snider is a reporter on USA TODAY’s Trending team.
    Mike Snider, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • On Tuesday, April 29, Patrick Cooper filed a lawsuit against Tisci, 50, claiming assault, battery, false imprisonment, intentional infliction of emotional distress and violations of New York State’s Gender-Motivated Violence Act.
    Charna Flam, People.com, 2 May 2025
  • The letter noted that Connelly allowed this to carry on as West showed symptoms of neurological and behavioral distress.
    Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 1 May 2025
Noun
  • The seminal Los Angeles rock band, whose jazz-meets-rock-meets-dark-poetry stood in such stark contrast to the bright San Francisco sound of the late '60s, is celebrating 60 years since its 1965 formation.
    Marco della Cava, USA Today, 24 Apr. 2025
  • Deputies arrived at the scene at approximately 12 p.m. on April 19 after neighbors called authorities at the sound of the girl's distress.
    Madison E. Goldberg, People.com, 23 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Antivirals: Ear pain related to viruses may require antiviral medications.
    Mark Gurarie, Health, 26 Apr. 2025
  • Perhaps Vrabel values the toughness Hill showed in playing through pain.
    Chad Graff, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The body of Laci and her unborn son washed up separately along the Richmond shoreline four months later after a storm churned up the bay.
    Julia Prodis Sulek, Mercury News, 25 Apr. 2025
  • Their goal is to save both the bay and its people, as in the universe—called anya, in the Yoreme language—everything is interconnected.
    Gwendolina Duval, Vogue, 22 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Ellie is stricken with agony, her reaction almost feral.
    Noel Murray, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2025
  • The agony of not knowing was heartbreakingly illustrated by the plight of Oscar Johnson, of St. Charles.
    Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

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

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