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 Meanwhile, many who lost their homes in the L.A. fires are calling for a formal government investigation of major insurance providers, alleging that delays and denials have kept them in dire financial straits and housing limbo. Karla Marie Sanford, Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2025 The earthquake, reported to be 7.7 in magnitude, struck with the force of many atomic bombs - collapsing buildings and trapping people in desperate straits. Roger Huang, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025 Still, Iran is in dire economic straits, and domestic pressure is mounting. Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 3 Apr. 2025 In his next term, Biss will face big issues in Evanston, including charting the future of the Lorraine H. Morton Civic Center, continuing to oversee Ryan Field and dealing with a K-8 school district, Evanston-Skokie District 65, in dire financial straits. Richard Requena, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for strait
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strait
Noun
  • The alleged attack involved Combs grabbing Morgan by the neck and throwing a wooden hanger that hit her head, Morgan said.
    KiMi Robinson, USA Today, 21 May 2025
  • Here’s How To Keep Them In Place There’s nothing more irritating than looking in the bathroom mirror only to notice that the beautiful design of your necklace is actually on the backside of your neck, while the clasp is sitting front and center.
    Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 21 May 2025
Noun
  • The experiment of pairing Antetokounmpo with Damian Lillard ended in anguish when Lillard tore his Achilles during the first round of the playoffs.
    Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 7 May 2025
  • Without that, the Sinaloa cartel are likely to remain a prominent, wealthy force — and more families will feel anguish like that of Vivian Aispuro’s family.
    Isobel Yeung, CNN Money, 2 May 2025
Noun
  • If you’re sent an email with a number to call back, contact the organization using usual, publicly available channels or your apps.
    Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
  • Malhotra has posted travel videos to her YouTube channel, which boasts nearly 400,000 subscribers.
    Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 20 May 2025
Noun
  • Recorded woodpecker distress calls or raptor calls can also repel the birds.
    Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 16 May 2025
  • Settings of comfort—a bedroom, a flower garden, a backyard barbecue with friends—turn into sites of distress.
    The Atlantic, The Atlantic, 15 May 2025
Noun
  • It’s been a year in which food is becoming harder and harder to source and the sound of bombs and Apache helicopters are a daily soundtrack.
    Sophie Monks Kaufman, IndieWire, 17 May 2025
  • The ambient, muffled sound of sloshing water is set against a shot of the bottom of a pool.
    Lovia Gyarkye, HollywoodReporter, 16 May 2025
Noun
  • Symptoms like inflammation, joint pain, and stiffness are an inevitable part of aging.
    Health, Health, 20 May 2025
  • Contributor Aging often comes with unwelcome changes, like joint stiffness, nerve pain, sleepless nights, and slowed recovery.
    Nia Bowers, USA Today, 20 May 2025
Noun
  • Soon to open is Siro Social, a rooftop terrace offering tapas, natural wine, and cocktails (both alcoholic and non) with panoramic views of the bay and surrounding mountains.
    Siobhan Reid, Travel + Leisure, 22 May 2025
  • Leaving from the Annapolis Waterfront Hotel’s dock several times a day, the boat will cruise past the Naval Academy before venturing into the bay.
    Charles Babington, New York Times, 21 May 2025
Noun
  • At this point in the narrative, when Mike is sentenced to 14 months jail time, more conventional addiction dramas would dig into the trauma of incarceration and the agony of substance withdrawal.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 17 May 2025
  • One young man described the particular agony of being placed carelessly in a wheelchair and forced to sit for hours atop his testicles.
    Sarah Zhang, The Atlantic, 16 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Strait.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strait. Accessed 27 May. 2025.

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