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 At this juncture, the math is merely an expression of best guesses. Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 25 July 2025 In order to help retrieve the man from the cave, rescuers widened the cave using explosive charges at three key junctures carrying him to the surface. Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 21 July 2025 At this juncture, there is no indication of involvement by unrelated parties. Kirsten Fiscus, Nashville Tennessean, 13 Aug. 2025 Jordan Smock, an Associate Vice President at Roxbury Community College, told the Herald that the school would not weigh in on the matter at this juncture. Matthew Medsger, Boston Herald, 11 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for juncture
Recent Examples of Synonyms for juncture
Noun
  • This 2-1 defeat, following the 2-0 home loss to Tottenham Hotspur last weekend, leaves City on three points after three games.
    Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2025
  • The Florida native has averaged 20 points over the last four seasons.
    Bobby Krivitsky, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • As of Thursday, Highway 166 was closed from the northern junction of Highway 101 in Santa Maria to Perkins Road in New Cuyama, according to the California Department of Transportation.
    Hannah Poukish, Sacbee.com, 7 Aug. 2025
  • Under the latest TxDOT proposal, the interstate would go from five to three lanes at that junction, with two lanes dedicated to traffic exiting onto Texas 174.
    Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Tyler's insistence on the latter set the precedent for all future presidential crises.
    Peter Aitken, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Aug. 2025
  • George, the Walter family patriarch, is facing a medical crisis.
    Claire Franken, TVLine, 30 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Trump's term has featured an aggressive display of executive power and plenty of jaw-dropping moments, with Vance sometimes at the center.
    Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 29 Aug. 2025
  • Viral moments, such as castmates choosing unexpected partners, memorable arguments, and shocking eliminations, expand the show's reach because its lively dynamics have turned many fans into unpaid promoters.
    Braedon Montgomery, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • The intersection of technology, power, and culture.
    Fernanda González, Wired News, 25 Aug. 2025
  • She had been spared the shame and stress of creativity at its intersection with reality.
    Rachel Cusk, New Yorker, 24 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Now, Maineri heads into year 12 with 18 pitchers on his roster, hoping that rising junior Caleb Gilbert and sophomore-to-be Zach Hess will emerge at the top of the pitching rotation.
    John Roach, NOLA.com, 19 July 2017
  • Cal Fire representatives said the current parking mess has already impacted them because the driveway to their station enters the highway not far from the trail head.
    J. Harry Jones, Ramona Sentinel, 19 July 2017
Noun
  • But in early March 2023, the situation quickly began to change.
    Vanessa Swales, jsonline.com, 26 Aug. 2025
  • The judge also questioned Turnage’s explanations, or lack thereof, for his failure to stop the situation or report it to authorities.
    Quinlan Bentley, The Enquirer, 26 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • He’s been sidelined for a couple of weeks with a lower extremity injury after being stepped on during a training camp practice.
    Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 19 Aug. 2025
  • Earlier, Lions head coach Dan Campbell shared a positive update saying Norris is breathing, talking and had some movement in his extremities.
    Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Juncture.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/juncture. Accessed 3 Sep. 2025.

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