Thesaurus results for EMERGENCY

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

emergency

noun

i-ˈmər-jən(t)-sē

Definition of emergency next

as in crisis

a time or state of affairs requiring prompt or decisive action an alert, quick-thinking girl who is good to have around in an emergency

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 of emergency in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Abortions can be provided later only in cases of medical emergency. —

Stephanie Innes, The Arizona Republic, 4 Sep. 2024 Homendy said a safety management system sets out common sense rules and procedures about what training must take place, what emergency drills must be done and how roving watches should be in place to detect fires. —

Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2024 Also on Sunday, a man was hospitalized with several severe injuries after being attacked by a grizzly bear attack near Calgary, in the Canadian province of Alberta, the Canadian news outlet CBC reported, citing provincial emergency services personnel. —

Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 3 Sep. 2024 On August 9, the company agreed to receive $2.5 million in emergency funding from a lender. —

Ramishah Maruf, CNN, 19 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for emergency

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'emergency.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.