Synonym Chooser

How does the noun emergency differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of emergency are contingency, crisis, exigency, juncture, pinch, straits, and strait. While all these words mean "a critical or crucial time or state of affairs," emergency applies to a sudden unforeseen situation requiring prompt action to avoid disaster.

the presence of mind needed to deal with emergencies

When is contingency a more appropriate choice than emergency?

The words contingency and emergency can be used in similar contexts, but contingency implies an emergency or exigency that is regarded as possible but uncertain of occurrence.

contingency plans

When is it sensible to use crisis instead of emergency?

The synonyms crisis and emergency are sometimes interchangeable, but crisis applies to a juncture whose outcome will make a decisive difference.

a crisis of confidence

Where would exigency be a reasonable alternative to emergency?

In some situations, the words exigency and emergency are roughly equivalent. However, 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 emergency?

The meanings of juncture and emergency largely overlap; however, 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 emergency?

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 emergency?

Strait, now commonly straits, applies to a troublesome situation from which escape is extremely difficult.

in dire straits

Examples 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 emergency Days later, on appeal, a unanimous Fifth Circuit bench granted the government's emergency motion for a stay of a preliminary injunction. Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024 Police wrote in the warrant that emergency dispatchers at 2:47 p.m. received the report from a caller who said the driver of an Infiniti could be seen chasing a white SUV in the area of Ansonia Street and Hillside Avenue. Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 30 Dec. 2024 The 24-year-old would function as an emergency striker, a right winger or an attacking central midfielder depending on what Postecoglou required. Jay Harris, The Athletic, 30 Dec. 2024 The Embraer 190 was en route from the Azerbaijani capital of Baku to the Russian city of Grozny in the North Caucasus when it was diverted and attempted an emergency landing, which eventually failed. Andy Biggs, Newsweek, 26 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for emergency 

Thesaurus Entries Near emergency

Cite this Entry

“Emergency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/emergency. Accessed 5 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on emergency

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