strait

noun

Definition of straitnext
1
as in neck
a narrow body of water between two land masses as the ship headed east through the Strait of Gibraltar, Spain was on our left and Africa on our right

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in anguish
often straits plural a state of great suffering of body or mind in great straits over the loss of her mother's cherished necklace

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Here, the Harlem River, which is a strait and not a river, and which connects the East River to the Hudson, runs between the two boroughs. —CBS News, 24 Jan. 2025 With a new bridge over the Dardanelles strait, Türkiye has cut the drive from Istanbul to just a few hours to this westernmost Anatolian province of Çanakkale, known to the ancient world as Troa. —John Oseid, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024 Its eastern and western channels are specifically designated by Japan as international straits. —Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Newsweek, 4 Feb. 2025 Another plan would have allowed borrowers in dire economic straits due to medical debt, natural disasters, and other conditions to apply for relief. —Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA TODAY, 11 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for strait
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strait
  1. neck
  2. anguish
  3. channel
  4. distress
  5. sound
  6. pain
  7. bay
  8. agony
Noun
  • Tropicana ditched its distinctive carafe, with its circular shape, thinning neck, and crown-like bottle cap.
    — Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN, 26 Feb. 2025
  • The ruling was that both players violated the hands to the face/head/neck of an opponent policy.
    — Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 26 Feb. 2025
Definition of neck
Noun
  • But last year's Olympics were also a major source of anguish.
    — Christopher Intagliata, NPR, 3 Mar. 2025
  • Every repeat viewing of Abraham's performance reveals some new moment of humiliation — some fresh sickening glimmer of anguish that feels all too familiar.
    — EW.com, EW.com, 2 Mar. 2025
Definition of anguish
Noun
  • Our primary goal is to establish a comprehensive rights framework that ensures early availability through all ZDF distribution channels while maintaining exclusivity.
    — Annika Pham, Variety, 25 Feb. 2025
  • When Manchester City were able to progress the ball down Liverpool’s inside right and left channels, Van Dijk and Konate were able to cover each other.
    — Andy Jones, The Athletic, 25 Feb. 2025
Definition of channel
Noun
  • The lawsuit alleged battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence and loss of consortium, which allows for recovery of damages for relationships that are mutually dependent.
    — Winston Cho, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Mar. 2025
  • Get ahead of a tween’s difficult feelings by recognizing the early signs of emotional distress, such as disruption in sleep and less interest in their hobbies, and reroute all-or-nothing thoughts, suggests Daniel Huy, PsyD, a clinical psychologist at Hackensack Meridian Health.
    — Sherri Gordon, Parents, 4 Mar. 2025
Definition of distress
Noun
  • The sound of gunshots rang out, after which people started running and the video abruptly cut off.
    — Reuters, NBC News, 6 Mar. 2025
  • It was pieced together chaotically, merging song snippets by Anderson and guitarist Steve Howe, adding bits of a raucous group jam for an intro that kicks off with the sounds of water and chirping birds, then erupts into psychedelic rock at the speed of light.
    — Ernesto Lechner, Rolling Stone, 6 Mar. 2025
Definition of sound
Noun
  • Kylie Jenner is opening up about the pain of losing her longtime hairstylist and close friend, Jesus Guerrero.
    — Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 25 Feb. 2025
  • The poor guy is just so ready to put the pain of his childhood behind him and build a family where everyone eats dinner together at night, and no one ever feels alone.
    — Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 25 Feb. 2025
Definition of pain
Noun
  • The resort offers complimentary kayaks and paddleboards and helps guests arrange longtail boat trips to explore Koh Phangan's quieter bays.
    — Lauren Mowery, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025
  • There was one corner of the bay that did, however, seem busy.
    — Akash Kapur, Travel + Leisure, 24 Feb. 2025
Definition of bay
Noun
  • Challenges of rebuilding Victims who lost homes will be faced with the decision whether to rebuild — which can be agony.
    — Tony Saavedra, Orange County Register, 24 Feb. 2025
  • Then, Cara’s killshot was followed by her screams of agony at her dire circumstances.
    — Hunter Ingram, Variety, 23 Feb. 2025
Definition of agony

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Cite this Entry

“Strait.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strait. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

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