Thesaurus results for CRISIS

crisis

noun

ˈkrī-səs

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 In 2017, at the height of the Venezuelan humanitarian crisis when Rodríguez was foreign minister, Caracas donated half a million dollars to Trump’s inauguration committee through its oil subsidiary CITGO4. —

Stefano Pozzebon, CNN Money, 14 Jan. 2026 Famine conditions in Gaza City have eased since the ceasefire began in October, but the situation remains critical, with the entire strip still at risk of starvation, according to a report from the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, the world’s leading authority on food crises. —

Nick Duffy, NBC news, 14 Jan. 2026 Skin heals, styles evolve, and not every aesthetic choice needs to be treated like a crisis. —

Elizabeth Gulino, Allure, 14 Jan. 2026 For The Times) Southern California’s Iranian Americans are closely watching anti-government protests initially sparked by economic crisis and currency collapse. —

Los Angeles Times, 14 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for crisis

Recent Examples of Synonyms for crisis

Noun

Yoon argued that the exercise of presidential emergency powers cannot be treated as rebellion under the law.

— Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 14 Jan. 2026
In response to Amber's heart-wrenching case, a Texas mom named Diana Simone had the idea to create an emergency system for abducted children, similar to a weather or civil defense alert.

— Emily Krauser, PEOPLE, 13 Jan. 2026