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

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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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 The biggest mistake that families make is waiting for a crisis like a stroke or a disagreement to discuss succession, according to Mallory Findley of Rockefeller Capital Management. — Hayley Cuccinello, CNBC, 20 Aug. 2026 Academics and advocates, however, have been raising alarm about the national debt for decades -- with no crisis so far to show for it. — Max Zahn, ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026 Many of those in attendance brought their own stories of mental health crises of their own or loved ones, with individuals in the crowd hugging and sharing with each other after the moment of silence Thursday. — Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 20 Aug. 2026 The case has drawn national attention and sparked discussion about postpartum mental health and the treatment of women experiencing psychiatric crises. — Liam Quinn, PEOPLE, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for crisis

Recent Examples of Synonyms for crisis

Noun

Israel's emergency services said the victim was taken to a hospital in moderate condition.

— ABC News, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026
Lombardo directed state agencies to coordinate through Nevada’s emergency operations center.

— Martin Goillandeau, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of emergency

Noun

Paramount Skydance representatives are expected to meet on Monday with the California Attorney General’s office to discuss a potential settlement of the states’ antitrust case, according to two sources familiar with the situation.

— Gene Maddaus, Variety, 22 Aug. 2026
Mark Fowler, executive director of the Northwest Municipal Conference, said a similar situation occurred five to 10 years ago.

— Steve Zalusky, Chicago Tribune, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of situation

Noun

The head of Britain’s National Cyber Security Centre revealed earlier this year that three-quarters of cyber-attacks on critical infrastructure could be traced back to hostile state actors.

— Tim Lister, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026
The investigators had named a deputy head of the presidential office among the suspects in a money-laundering case.

— ABC News, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of head

Noun

That allows doctors to evaluate a person’s balance, mobility and lower extremity strength all at once.

— Devi Shastri, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026
The Eagles announced shortly after that Jackson had strength and movement in all of his extremities and was being taken to a local hospital for further evaluation.

— Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of extremity

Noun

Potential finalists will be notified via email and will be required to complete and return an Affidavit of Eligibility, License of Work and Release of Liability/Publicity within three (3) days of date of notification, or a shorter time if required by exigencies, or a runner-up may be selected.

— Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 25 June 2026
The exigencies of the Revolution lead to promising more people representation.

— KEN BURNS, Rolling Stone, 19 May 2026

Definition of exigency

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“Crisis.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crisis. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of crisis

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