Synonym Chooser

How does the noun juncture differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of juncture are contingency, crisis, emergency, exigency, pinch, straits, and strait. While all these words mean "a critical or crucial time or state of affairs," juncture stresses the significant concurrence or convergence of events.

an important juncture in our country's history

In what contexts can contingency take the place of juncture?

While the synonyms contingency and juncture are close in meaning, contingency implies an emergency or exigency that is regarded as possible but uncertain of occurrence.

contingency plans

Where would crisis be a reasonable alternative to juncture?

Although the words crisis and juncture have much in common, crisis applies to a juncture whose outcome will make a decisive difference.

a crisis of confidence

When might emergency be a better fit than juncture?

The words emergency and juncture are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, emergency applies to a sudden unforeseen situation requiring prompt action to avoid disaster.

the presence of mind needed to deal with emergencies

When would exigency be a good substitute for juncture?

While in some cases nearly identical to juncture, exigency stresses the pressure of restrictions or urgency of demands created by a special situation.

provide for exigencies

How does the word pinch relate to other synonyms for juncture?

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 juncture?

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 juncture Both players faced critical junctures in their respective careers, as each is out of minor-league options. Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 24 Mar. 2025 The next juncture of Hidalgo’s excellent career comes against fellow young ascendants Syla Swords and Olivia Olson. Steven Louis Goldstein, The Athletic, 23 Mar. 2025 At various junctures, the data training included content covering various aspects of why the sky is blue. Lance Eliot, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025 At this juncture, that miracle involves the film making enough money to cover its bloated production budget. Tim Lammers, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for juncture
Recent Examples of Synonyms for juncture
Noun
  • Wimbley had a team-high 22 points and 11 rebounds in the game.
    Gary Curreri, Sun Sentinel, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Goodrich leads all scorers with 39 points in the 106-98 loss at Chicago. 1972 — Wilt Chamberlain plays his last pro basketball game.
    Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • But the junction serves a practical purpose: a pit stop for hundreds of drivers a day, many from South Florida.
    Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2025
  • On Tuesday, contracts were awarded for the grading of Highway 13 between Jordan and New Prague, and for the new bridge in Jordan at the junction of highways 5 and 13.
    Contributed Content, Twin Cities, 6 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • That’s a stark contrast to Ange Postecoglou’s high-intensity pressing style at Tottenham Hotspur, which is often cited as one of the reasons behind Spurs’ injury crisis and subsequent poor form this season.
    Steve Price, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Their routines, quiet and mundane, signal a growing — and largely invisible — crisis that threatens New York City’s future.
    Jonah Markowitz, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • An unexpected benefit is that the doctors and nurses treating these patients in their final moments were also uplifted by fulfilling their wishes and felt a deeper sense of purpose and meaning.
    Hansa Bhargava, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
  • The segment displayed an image of Wallen walking off the stage. 'Get me to God's country': Morgan Wallen abruptly leaves 'SNL' stage Ego Nwodim accidentally prompts audience to curse on 'Weekend Update': 'Lorne's gonna be mad' One moment of the show may have left the network's censors unhappy.
    Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 6 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The murder mystery exists at the intersection of Elsbeth and Shondaland’s other White House show, Scandal, combining political intrigue with parlor-room puzzlement—and that parlor happens to be located in the most famous house in America.
    Scarlett Harris, Architectural Digest, 3 Apr. 2025
  • Deputies discovered two women with gunshot wounds after 7 p.m. at the intersection of Caldwell Street and Central Avenue, the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department said in a news release.
    Anthony Solorzano, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2025
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
Noun
  • Judging by the numbers, though, the situation in New Mexico is even more dire.
    Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 3 Apr. 2025
  • Debt relief programs usually charge between 15% and 25% of the total debt owed or the total amount that is eventually paid to the creditor, depending on the company and your financial situation.
    Víctor Rosario, Sacbee.com, 3 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Females tend to have wider pelvises, which could change the mechanics of how different parts of the lower extremities move around during rapid changes in direction.
    Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025
  • Their grief and their rage are nearly untranslatable, as though feelings in extremity can only be physical sensations—the language assails one with a blind and blunt force.
    Yiyun Li, The New Yorker, 23 Mar. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Juncture.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/juncture. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on juncture

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!