Synonym Chooser

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 Israel’s new operation comes in defiance of international condemnation and as the United Nations and others have warned that the assault will worsen an already dire humanitarian crisis, with parts of the Gaza officially declared under famine. CNN Money, 17 Sep. 2025 Sacramento will start charging monthly fees at some of its homeless shelters, a move that remains uncommon nationwide and marks the city’s latest strategy to address its homeless crisis. Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 17 Sep. 2025 The 2008 financial crisis upended Sanders’ dealership. Kansas City Star, 17 Sep. 2025 Lee took power in South Korea on June 4 following snap elections called in response to the impeachment of his predecessor Yoon Suk Yeol, whose December declaration of martial law plunged the East Asian nation of 50 million into political crisis. Charlie Campbell, Time, 17 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for crisis
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crisis
Noun
  • Trump’s attorneys on Thursday had submitted an emergency request to pause a lower-court ruling, which barred Cook’s firing from taking effect while her lawsuit against the president’s action continues.
    Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 16 Sep. 2025
  • During World War I, between shifts as an emergency ambulance driver in France, Richardson calculated how the local weather would evolve over six hours, starting with the atmospheric conditions provided by weather balloon observations on a particular morning in 1910.
    Zack Savitsky, Quanta Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The current market situation is a far cry from Coal India's $3 billion issue a decade back that, per domestic media, had led to a liquidity crunch in the country's banking system, including massive redemptions in mutual funds from investors eager to invest in the IPO.
    Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 18 Sep. 2025
  • More severe cases may require oral antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medication, or even surgery in chronic situations.
    Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Be sure to cover your head and neck with your arms, and crawl under a sturdy table if possible.
    CA Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 17 Sep. 2025
  • During Tuesday's media availability, Swinney addressed concerns about Clemson's 1-2 start by pointing to the track record since he was named head coach in 2009.
    Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Based on her history of heterosexual extremity, I was concerned, but glad to be proven wrong.
    Rachel Handler, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2025
  • Perhaps the importance of the Ali-Frazier match derives from the extremity of those blood-sport contradictions.
    Vann R. Newkirk II, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The political exigencies that faced the American literary public were of a different set.
    Elaine L. Wang September 11, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2025
  • The exigencies of World War II drastically slashed unemployment but did not improve living standards, and the wartime economy offered no guarantee against the reemergence of widespread joblessness when the conflict ended.
    Foreign Affairs, Foreign Affairs, 19 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Fresh, sweet kernels of corn add crunch to this soup.
    Bethany Thayer, Freep.com, 20 Sep. 2025
  • However, could the worst of the affordability crunch be over as mortgage rates slipped this summer?
    Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 19 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Crisis.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crisis. Accessed 22 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on crisis

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!