STRAIT Synonyms: 62 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

strait

noun

Definition of strait

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

Relevance

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 Tehran is now adamant that Washington must adhere to several conditions before the strait can reopen. — Jenni Reid, CNBC, 11 Aug. 2026 The new cohort of LatAm petrostates is emerging as an OPEC counterweight the US can’t afford to neglect, especially since its barrels don’t have to move through any dangerous straits. — Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 11 Aug. 2026 Related Stories Bankrupted by the financial crisis, a Montevideo veterinarian is pushed to desperate straits and doesn’t have enough money to eat. — Ed Meza, Variety, 10 Aug. 2026 According to container shipping research firm Linerlytica, just two container vessels made outbound passages through the strait last week. — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 10 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for strait

Recent Examples of Synonyms for strait

Noun

Prosecutors say after killing her children, Clancy cut her wrists and neck and jumped from a second-story window, leaving her partially paralyzed.

— Andi Babineau, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
Players on reserve lists include Micah Parsons (knee), tight end Luke Musgrave (neck), running back Chris Brooks (hamstring), long snapper Matt Orzech (calf), and defensive tackles Javon Hargrave (knee) and Jordon Reilly (Achilles).

— Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of neck

Noun

Almodóvar’s film focuses on the suffering caused by a terminal diagnosis, and the additional anguish incurred by not having the option of aid in dying.

— Vanessa Rampton, STAT, 5 Aug. 2026
With the help of an athletic trainer, Hoecht was guided to a bench and plopped down in anguish.

— Tim Graham, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of anguish

Noun

Attorneys general, including California’s Rob Bonta, allege that the transaction stifles competition across wide-release theatrical film distribution, big-budget blockbusters, and basic cable television channel licensing.

— Jake Kanter, Deadline, 7 Aug. 2026
Transactions via agents should be treated as another channel through which to sell.

— Deann Evans, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of channel

Noun

The lawsuit requests damages of $10 million for past and future physical injuries, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.

— Madison Lambert, NBC news, 7 Aug. 2026
The lawsuits seek damages for wrongful death, economic loss and emotional distress, Crump said.

— Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of distress

Noun

In a sleepy bay in Anguilla, the ship’s marina comes down, affording an opportunity to play with the water toys and swim to an inflatable trampoline.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Aug. 2026
The lounge and kitchenette are alongside a large bay lined with mirrors for getting a 360-degree view.

— Mark David, Robb Report, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of bay

Noun

Such is the ecstasy, the agony, of judgment, which was never for their benefit.

— Lauren Michele Jackson, New Yorker, 8 Aug. 2026
The man with almost no injury was writhing in agony, while the man with a four-inch nail lodged near his brain kept working for six days, not even realizing the nail was there.

— Kevin Kruse, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026

Definition of agony

Browse Nearby Words

strains

strait

straiten

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Strait.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strait. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of strait

noun

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

The Words of the Week - Mar. 13

Dire Straits: Straight vs. Strait (plus...

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on strait

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

vacuous

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Words of the Week - Aug. 14

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes

Synonyms of strait

noun

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Articles Related to strait

The Words of the Week - Mar. 13

Dire Straits: Straight vs. Strait (plus...

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on strait

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

vacuous

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Words of the Week - Aug. 14

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes