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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 He was sworn into office less than two months ago and has responded to one catastrophic crisis after another ever since. —

Barnini Chakraborty, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 26 Jan. 2025 The Biden administration, along with other governments in the G7, instituted a $60 per barrel price cap on Russian oil exports shipped by sea in 2022 -- a play to eat into Moscow's profits while avoiding an energy crisis. —

ABC News, 25 Jan. 2025 Instead of working to address the student debt crisis and reduce these costs, congressional leaders are pushing dangerous cuts that will cause monthly payments to spike and make paying for college more expensive and risky. —

Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 25 Jan. 2025 Many people who entered the country when Mr. Biden was still president have Temporary Protected Status, or T.P.S., a designation given to people from countries that the executive branch deemed to be in extreme turmoil because of a humanitarian crisis, political upheaval or a natural disaster. —

Gabriel V. Cárdenas, New York Times, 25 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for crisis

Recent Examples of Synonyms for crisis

Noun

This possibility seemed closer than ever last summer when state legislators unanimously called for the declaration of such an emergency.

— U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Jan. 2025
Once a state of emergency has been issued, policyholders who experienced total losses are due four months living expenses.

— Laurence Darmiento, Los Angeles Times, 24 Jan. 2025