1
as in possibility
something that might happen agencies trying to provide for every contingency in a national emergency

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Synonym Chooser

How does the noun contingency differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of contingency are crisis, emergency, exigency, juncture, pinch, straits, and strait. While all these words mean "a critical or crucial time or state of affairs," contingency implies an emergency or exigency that is regarded as possible but uncertain of occurrence.

contingency plans

In what contexts can crisis take the place of contingency?

The meanings of crisis and contingency largely overlap; however, crisis applies to a juncture whose outcome will make a decisive difference.

a crisis of confidence

When is emergency a more appropriate choice than contingency?

While in some cases nearly identical to contingency, emergency applies to a sudden unforeseen situation requiring prompt action to avoid disaster.

the presence of mind needed to deal with emergencies

When might exigency be a better fit than contingency?

The synonyms exigency and contingency are sometimes interchangeable, but exigency stresses the pressure of restrictions or urgency of demands created by a special situation.

provide for exigencies

When could juncture be used to replace contingency?

The words juncture and contingency can be used in similar contexts, but 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 contingency?

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 contingency?

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 contingency Practice Contingency Planning And Forecasting Businesses that practice contingency planning quarterly combined with forecasting for sensitivity analysis will be more prepared for the changes that may come. Expert Panel®, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025 The tenuous nature of the lines of communication from the northern elements of the salient back into Ukraine is probably seeing a lot of contingency planning and war gaming in case the Ukrainians need to conduct a withdrawal, Ryan added. William Lambers, Newsweek, 10 Mar. 2025 That’s what your nation’s human spaceflight program is all about, planning for unknown, unexpected contingencies. Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel, 4 Mar. 2025 Here are key reasons why resilience is vital for outsourcing operations: Ensures Business Continuity: Resilient models enable uninterrupted services during unexpected disruptions through contingency planning and distributed backup capabilities. Mit Somaiya, Sourcing Journal, 3 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for contingency
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contingency
Noun
  • Even if this bird flu doesn’t eventually become the p-word, other pandemic possibilities will likely emerge in the coming years.
    Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 30 Mar. 2025
  • However, the Constitution bars presidents from serving more than two terms, making the possibility of Trump mounting a bid for another term unlikely.
    Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 29 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • While supporting current retirees, this board has long said the state must amend a provision added to its constitution in 1970 that has made real progress on pensions practically impossible.
    The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 21 Mar. 2025
  • The ship is capable of delivering ammunition, provisions, stores, spare parts, potable water and petroleum products to aircraft carrier groups and other naval forces, serving as a shuttle ship or station ship.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Such violent celestial events may have left a clue in ancient rocks in the form of a rare element.
    Jackie Wattles, CNN, 22 Mar. 2025
  • These events are all part of the changing world order, a critical concept of vital importance.
    Hersh Shefrin, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Holtec can go ahead with the tube repairs on its schedule, but the company does so at its own risk as the NRC will decide whether the repairs meet requirements in the end, Burnell said.
    Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 22 Mar. 2025
  • Gary contends the user rates for the three communities are decades old and too low to meet the requirements of a federal consent decree.
    Carole Carlson, Chicago Tribune, 22 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The Cooperative's Board of Directors has approved a Plan of Liquidation and Dissolution, contingent on member approval, to sell its 50% interest in ProGold to Cargill for $81 million following the expiration of the facility lease on December 31, 2026.
    Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 18 Mar. 2025
  • During the season, including the conference tournament, the Big Ten’s Western contingent finished 12-21 in the Eastern time zone.
    Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 17 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The officer was being treated for his wounds, but no other condition information was immediately available from the Sheriff’s Office.
    Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 26 Mar. 2025
  • Accurately recording weather conditions is no easy task, so the dataset comes with some limitations.
    Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • In many cases, these startups rely on partnerships with banks or insurers behind the scenes, effectively becoming a slick user interface on top of more traditional financial institutions.
    Zennon Kapron, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
  • The problem with that argument, Kessler and Berman note, is that there is no precedent for a court holding that Title IX applies to the allocation of damages in an antitrust case.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 27 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The commission said there have been 148 such stipulations since the process was started in 2003.
    Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 17 Mar. 2025
  • In July 2021, the Oscar nominee filed a lawsuit against distributor The Walt Disney Company, alleging that its simultaneous release of Black Widow in theaters and on streaming service Disney+ breached a stipulation in her contract that it be released exclusively in theaters.
    Jack Smart, People.com, 11 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Contingency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contingency. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.

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