Thesaurus results for CONTINGENCY

Q: How does the noun 'contingency' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of contingency are crisis , emergency , exigency , juncture , pinch , straits , and strait . While all these words mean "a critical or crucial time or state of affairs," contingency implies an emergency or exigency that is regarded as possible but uncertain of occurrence. // contingency plans

Q: In what contexts can 'crisis' take the place of 'contingency'?

The meanings of crisis and contingency largely overlap; however, crisis applies to a juncture whose outcome will make a decisive difference. // a crisis of confidence

Q: When is 'emergency' a more appropriate choice than 'contingency'?

While in some cases nearly identical to contingency , emergency applies to a sudden unforeseen situation requiring prompt action to avoid disaster. // the presence of mind needed to deal with emergencies

Q: When might 'exigency' be a better fit than 'contingency'?

The synonyms exigency and contingency are sometimes interchangeable, but exigency stresses the pressure of restrictions or urgency of demands created by a special situation. // provide for exigencies

Q: When could 'juncture' be used to replace 'contingency'?

The words juncture and contingency can be used in similar contexts, but juncture stresses the significant concurrence or convergence of events. // an important juncture in our country's history

Q: How does the word 'pinch' relate to other synonyms for 'contingency'?

Pinch implies urgency or pressure for action to a less intense degree than exigency or emergency . // come through in a pinch

Q: How are the words 'strait' and 'straits' related as synonyms of 'contingency'?

Strait , now commonly straits , applies to a troublesome situation from which escape is extremely difficult. // in dire straits

contingency

noun

kən-ˈtin-jən(t)-sē

Definition of contingency next

as in possibility

something that might happen agencies trying to provide for every contingency in a national emergency

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in provision

something upon which the carrying out of an agreement or offer depends an offer to buy the house, with the contingency that it pass inspection

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun contingency differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of contingency are crisis, emergency, exigency, juncture, pinch, straits, and strait. While all these words mean "a critical or crucial time or state of affairs," 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 contingency?

The meanings of crisis and contingency largely overlap; however, crisis applies to a juncture whose outcome will make a decisive difference.

a crisis of confidence

When is emergency a more appropriate choice than contingency?

While in some cases nearly identical to contingency, 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 contingency?

The synonyms exigency and contingency are sometimes interchangeable, but exigency stresses the pressure of restrictions or urgency of demands created by a special situation.

provide for exigencies

When could juncture be used to replace contingency?

The words juncture and contingency 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 does the word pinch relate to other synonyms for contingency?

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

come through in a pinch

How are the words strait and straits related as synonyms of contingency?

Strait, now commonly straits, applies to a troublesome situation from which escape is extremely difficult.

in dire straits

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 contingency The figure includes a 20% contingency. —

arkansasonline.com, 8 Mar. 2026 The collapse of diplomacy has forced the US and Israel to review military contingencies, including the possibility of using ground forces to retrieve nuclear material, said a European official familiar with the planning. —

Jonathan Tirone, Fortune, 8 Mar. 2026 Building contingency into all three is essential—and will spare you considerable frustration later. —

Katie Strasberg Rousso, Southern Living, 7 Mar. 2026 Any one of these grim contingencies could be a strategic blow to the United States, which depends on a network of bases in the Gulf to maintain its military power across the Middle East and Africa. —

Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 6 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for contingency

Recent Examples of Synonyms for contingency

Noun

Reuters said its researchers ruled out that possibility.

— Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 17 Mar. 2026
The Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma, issued an Enhanced to Moderate Risk of Severe Weather on Monday, which includes dangerous thunderstorms, damaging winds, and the possibility of a few strong tornadoes.

— Adam Thompson, CBS News, 16 Mar. 2026

Definition of possibility

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contingencies

contingency

contingent

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“Contingency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contingency. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.

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Last Updated: 20 Mar 2026 - Updated example sentences

Synonyms of contingency

noun

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