STRAITS Synonyms: 50 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

straits

noun

Definition of straits next

plural of strait

as in distress

a state of great suffering of body or mind in great straits over the loss of her mother's cherished necklace

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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 Plus Yosh Nijman, Ekwonu’s backup and the Panthers’ swing tackle, suddenly retired earlier this month — flinging the Panthers’ offensive line plan into even narrower straits. —

Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 27 Mar. 2026 Cuba is in dire economic straits, Rubio said at the time. —

Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 24 Mar. 2026 Mamdani has argued that there is a state program in place to help landlords in dire financial straits. —

Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 23 Mar. 2026 And now our- General Caine, Secretary Hegseth, are leading a campaign to destroy all the fortifications along the straits of Hormuz. —

NBC news, 22 Mar. 2026 Over the past year, hospitals have felt the pain of thousands of layoffs — some even pushed into dire financial straits — as they have been stripped of billions of dollars in federal and state funding for health care. —

Pat Maio, Oc Register, 22 Mar. 2026 Cap update The 49ers aren’t in any sort of salary-cap straits at the moment. —

Matt Barrows, New York Times, 16 Mar. 2026 Right now, our focus is destroying their military capabilities, including those that are used specifically to threaten the straits. —

ABC News, 15 Mar. 2026 The state’s dire budgetary straits have also spurred Democrats to look to fundamentally reform how state budgeting works. —

Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 15 Mar. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for straits

Noun

There is a long history of women's pain being dismissed by doctors, incorrectly categorized as period pain or rooted in psychological distress.

— Madeline Mitchell, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026
The lawsuit accuses the driver, named as a defendant, of assault and battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

— Nick Lentz, CBS News, 1 Apr. 2026

Definition of distress

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straitlaced

straits

strand

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“Straits.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/straits. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.

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Synonyms of straits

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