Thesaurus results for CONTINGENCY

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

contingency

noun

kən-ˈtin-jən(t)-sē

Definition of contingency next

as in possibility

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in provision

something upon which the carrying out of an agreement or offer depends an offer to buy the house, with the contingency that it pass inspection

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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 contingency The Pac-12 Conference applied for trademarks this month that attempt to cover various contingencies if the league—which currently has two members, with commitments to add six more in 2026—ends up eventually fielding nine, 10, 11, 13 or 14 schools. —

Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 22 Dec. 2024 These categories, if well managed, highlight how AI tools can extract data, identify contingencies, spotlight audit risks, complete preliminary compliance checklists, automate compilation and identify addressable gaps. —

Noah Barsky, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025 Most lawyers in these kinds of cases take them on a contingency basis. —

Duaa Eldeib, ProPublica, 30 Dec. 2024 According to sources, the decision was made by the network in early 2023, at least in part with strike production contingency preparations in mind, so the series could make its summer 2024 premiere date. —

Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 27 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for contingency

Recent Examples of Synonyms for contingency

Noun

There’s also a possibility that some manufacturers may simply swap Red No. 3 for Red 40, another dye that is associated with separate health concerns.

— Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 16 Jan. 2025
Israel and much of the international community have been skeptical about the possibility of a multinational force in Gaza, and with good reason.

— Nir Arielli, Newsweek, 16 Jan. 2025