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 What’s more, the school itself appears to be in dire financial straits with a $200 million operating deficit — not exactly ideal conditions to buy out one of the fattest contracts in college sports. Greg Beacham, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2025 The system is also expected to account for existing defenses around key regions, notably in Ankara and along the Bosphorus and Dardanelles straits, while addressing new security requirements such as protecting the Akkuyu nuclear power plant. Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 28 Aug. 2025 America's largest health care companies are in dire financial straits, with some of the biggest names on the chopping block as the remainder battle economic headwinds. Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Aug. 2025 Her famous parents, Ronn Owens and former KCBS news anchor Jan Black, also are in dire financial straits. Martha Ross, Mercury News, 22 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for strait
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strait
Noun
  • Inspired by the Japanese treat both in formula and texture, the Iota Supermochi Body Exfoliator+ contains soothing sweet rice water and exfoliating red bean extract—alongside ingredients like lactic acid, sea salt, and urea—to gently resurface your skin from the neck down.
    Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Winter Wools Nothing feels sharper or warmer than a funnel-neck coat made of warm wool.
    Andrea Zendejas, Vogue, 16 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Rather than let his boy be torn apart by terrible creatures in the mist, David uses a gun to mercy-kill them all and screams in anguish because there isn't a bullet left for him.
    James Grebey, Time, 12 Sep. 2025
  • While Cherry is more versed at keeping her rage simmering just below the surface, Laura struggles to hide her anguish and disgust, which alarms those closest to her.
    Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Paramount has nurtured Pluto TV, which has lagged a bit in recent years but has been a pioneer in the FAST business, while WBD has shown an appetite to use its deep library to drive FAST channels and AVOD license deals.
    Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Processing channels like frozen, dried, purees, sauces, and meal kits offer enormous potential to utilize every strawberry, apple, and tomato that comes out of the field.
    Ivanka Trump, Fortune, 12 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Those with suicide ideation might attempt suicide, but these attempts often represent a desire to escape distress as opposed to end-of-life issues.
    Eric Wood, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
  • In Pennsylvania, lawmakers have still not broken out of the impasse, spelling financial distress for schools and counties that rely particularly heavily on state funding.
    Isabella Volmert, Fortune, 16 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Demolition derbies bring the sounds of revving engines and metal crashing into metal to rural arenas all over Arkansas, especially during this time of year when county fairs are popping up.
    Sean Clancy, Arkansas Online, 14 Sep. 2025
  • Beesley was in the middle of the crowd, around 10 yards away from Kirk, when the sound of the rifle round cracked in the air.
    Rick Jervis, USA Today, 14 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The result is a universal film about the cyclicality of trauma and healing, about how people who’ve experienced trauma often choose to help others rather than confront their own pain—and the toll that can take.
    Travis Bean, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
  • These recent cost-of-living gyrations, however, don’t mitigate the financial pain of the worst bout of inflation in four decades.
    Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 13 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Also, Max Verstappen signed the car three times - on the front hood, in the engine bay, and on the dashboard.
    Nelson Espinal, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
  • The garage’s other bay is now part of the guesthouse.
    Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 16 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Hank, having already experienced life-changing failure, is also able to absorb beatings that would destroy most people, endure the agony, and leap back into action.
    Richard Brody, New Yorker, 28 Aug. 2025
  • The buddy story ended in agony when it was revealed that Edwards was on the list and complicit in the ambush plot.
    Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Strait.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strait. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.

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