crisis

noun

ˈkrī-səs How to pronounce crisis (audio)
Definition of crisisnext
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 Sims said another valuable discovery was better communicating to the public that information during a public health crisis can change rapidly. — Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 15 Mar. 2025 Some lawmakers at the time questioned the role of affiliate companies in the insurance crisis. — Lawrence Mower, Miami Herald, 14 Mar. 2025 The bottom line: The voters' negative views of Trump's first weeks in office but disinterest in Harris reflect a broader crisis facing the Democratic Party: Disapproval of Trump does not automatically translate to support for Democrats. — Erin Doherty, Axios, 14 Mar. 2025 As the government scrambles, President Evelyn Mitchell (Angela Bassett) enlists former President George Mullen (Robert De Niro) to lead a crisis response team dubbed the Zero Day Commission. — Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for crisis
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crisis
  1. emergency
  2. situation
  3. head
  4. extremity
  5. exigency
  6. crunch
Noun
  • All of the surviving animals were in need of emergency medical care and were taken to regional shelters by Watauga Animal Services, officials said.
    — Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Mar. 2025
  • Keep your headlights on and turn on emergency flashers to alert other drivers of your position.
    — Southern California Weather Report, Orange County Register, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of emergency
Noun
  • Fixing the run defense can help all the other pieces fall into place and the collection of young defenders can take advantage of better situations.
    — Paul Dehner Jr., The Athletic, 11 Mar. 2025
  • But what isn't normal is having massive firings and layoffs that are tanking the economy of the nation's capital, which will create a situation that is antithetical to what the president and I agree on.
    — Majd Al-Waheidi, NPR, 10 Mar. 2025
Definition of situation
Noun
  • There's always one shot that leaves a golfer shaking his or her head.
    — Mike Hutton, Post-Tribune, 19 July 2017
  • Delimitros said one of the truck’s side view mirrors struck her in the head, causing minor injuries.
    — David Hernandez, sandiegouniontribune.com, 19 July 2017
Definition of head
Noun
  • The report from the OCME reportedly indicated that Gittings was brought to Hartford Hospital via Life Star in hemorrhagic shock with obvious traumatic injuries to the left lower extremity including a near amputation.
    — Staff report, Hartford Courant, 13 Mar. 2025
  • Another problem is atrophy of the lower extremities, including weakness in the arch muscle of the foot.
    — Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2025
Definition of extremity
Noun
  • Under exigency, the school may cut both nonacademic and academic staff, including tenured faculty.
    — Rachel Wegner, The Tennessean, 16 Dec. 2024
  • George Washington, who could have been a king, set the tone by abdicating after two terms, a precedent followed by all his successors until F.D.R., under wartime exigency, broke it.
    — Bill McKibben, The New Yorker, 20 Feb. 2025
Definition of exigency
Noun
  • There is a massive shortage of hard currency across the continent, with many countries facing severe liquidity crunches.
    — Boaz Sobrado, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025
  • In a time crunch this creamy slow cooker recipe provides a helpful pressure cooker variation.
    — Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Mar. 2025
Definition of crunch

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Cite this Entry

“Crisis.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crisis. Accessed 22 Mar. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on crisis

Nglish: Translation of crisis for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about crisis

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