straits

plural of strait

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun straits differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of straits are contingency, crisis, emergency, exigency, juncture, pinch, and strait. 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

When is contingency a more appropriate choice than straits?

The synonyms contingency and straits are sometimes interchangeable, but contingency implies an emergency or exigency that is regarded as possible but uncertain of occurrence.

contingency plans

In what contexts can crisis take the place of straits?

The meanings of crisis and straits largely overlap; however, 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 straits?

In some situations, the words emergency and straits are roughly equivalent. However, emergency applies to a sudden unforeseen situation requiring prompt action to avoid disaster.

the presence of mind needed to deal with emergencies

When might exigency be a better fit than straits?

While in some cases nearly identical to straits, exigency stresses the pressure of restrictions or urgency of demands created by a special situation.

provide for exigencies

When can juncture be used instead of straits?

Although the words juncture and straits have much in common, 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 straits?

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 straits 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 Turkey controls the Black Sea’s gates—the Bosporus and the Dardanelles—under the Montreux Convention, which governs passages through the Turkish straits in and out of the Black Sea. Galip Dalay, Time, 19 Aug. 2025 The move also left Nevermore in dire financial straits, given his endowment, which is now a major plot point of the season. Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025 Who knew Nevermore was in such dire financial straits? Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 6 Aug. 2025 How did the greatest manufacturing nation in history find itself in such desperate straits during a public health emergency? Taylor Millard, Boston Herald, 5 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for straits
Noun
  • Another tool will notify parents if the system detects their teen is experiencing acute distress.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 2 Sep. 2025
  • What To Know Footage clearly showed how Sczczerek had grabbed the hat handed to the boy and squirreled it away in his wife's purse, despite the obvious distress of the child.
    Chloe Mayer, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Haley Robson described the anguish caused by ever-metastasizing Epstein conspiracy theories and endless Epstein news cycles, and her hope that releasing the files could finally put the case to bed.
    Michelle Goldberg, Mercury News, 6 Sep. 2025
  • Above all, there’s Rob, whose romantic getaway has turned into a slog of romantic anguish.
    Richard Brody, New Yorker, 4 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
Noun
  • There is little reason to assume that negotiations won’t continue after the court’s decision, because there are still myriad ways that the government can inflict pain on the university.
    Jeannie Suk Gersen, New Yorker, 6 Sep. 2025
  • The goal of treatment is to care for the small wound, manage any pain, and avoid potential infection.
    Carrie Madormo, Health, 6 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Straits.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/straits. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

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