Thesaurus results for CRISIS

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

Some common synonyms of crisis are contingency , emergency , exigency , juncture , pinch , straits , and strait . While all these words mean "a critical or crucial time or state of affairs," crisis applies to a juncture whose outcome will make a decisive difference. // a crisis of confidence

Q: Where would 'contingency' be a reasonable alternative to 'crisis'?

The words contingency and crisis are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, contingency implies an emergency or exigency that is regarded as possible but uncertain of occurrence. // contingency plans

Q: When would 'emergency' be a good substitute for 'crisis'?

The meanings of emergency and crisis 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

Q: When is it sensible to use 'exigency' instead of 'crisis'?

In some situations, the words exigency and crisis are roughly equivalent. However, exigency stresses the pressure of restrictions or urgency of demands created by a special situation. // provide for exigencies

Q: When is 'juncture' a more appropriate choice than 'crisis'?

Although the words juncture and crisis have much in common, 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 'crisis'?

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 'crisis'?

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

crisis

noun

ˈkrī-səs

Definition of crisis next

as in emergency

a time or state of affairs requiring prompt or decisive action the governor responded swiftly and surely to the crisis

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How does the noun crisis differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of crisis are contingency, emergency, exigency, juncture, pinch, straits, and strait. While all these words mean "a critical or crucial time or state of affairs," crisis applies to a juncture whose outcome will make a decisive difference.

a crisis of confidence

Where would contingency be a reasonable alternative to crisis?

The words contingency and crisis are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, contingency implies an emergency or exigency that is regarded as possible but uncertain of occurrence.

contingency plans

When would emergency be a good substitute for crisis?

The meanings of emergency and crisis 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

When is it sensible to use exigency instead of crisis?

In some situations, the words exigency and crisis are roughly equivalent. However, exigency stresses the pressure of restrictions or urgency of demands created by a special situation.

provide for exigencies

When is juncture a more appropriate choice than crisis?

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

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 crisis?

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 crisis What to do about the crisis that sociology confronts? —

Wendy Nelson Espeland, Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2026 Argentina’s budget cuts to firefighting under President Javier Milei may have weakened the country’s ability to respond to the crisis. —

Isabel Debre, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026 Their chants echoed down our block, bouncing off the same houses that had stood silent during earlier crises. —

Literary Hub, 11 Feb. 2026 Jefferson County Public Schools is facing a budget crisis, with district leaders weighing more than $100 million in cuts. —

Bailey Loosemore, Louisville Courier Journal, 11 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for crisis

Recent Examples of Synonyms for crisis

Noun

Officers rendered aid until emergency services arrived, and the boy was taken to UofL Hospital.

— Caroline Neal, Louisville Courier Journal, 10 Feb. 2026
Other emergency measures announced by the government in response to the energy crisis include reducing school hours, postponing major sporting and cultural events, and cutting transport services.

— Michael Rios, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026

Definition of emergency

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crises

crisis

crisp

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“Crisis.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crisis. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

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Last Updated: 15 Feb 2026 - Updated example sentences

Synonyms of crisis

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