Definition of juncturenext

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 The visit comes at a critical juncture for the Kremlin, with Ukraine’s drones striking the heart of Moscow over the weekend and peace talks stalled. Mithil Aggarwal, NBC news, 19 May 2026 At this juncture in his career, success in one game doesn’t guarantee a start in the next. Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 19 May 2026 The league’s most expensive roster finally played like it at the most critical juncture. Jason Lloyd, New York Times, 18 May 2026 But the production crisis, which has rocked Hollywood and pummeled its workforce, has reached a critical juncture. Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 17 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for juncture
Recent Examples of Synonyms for juncture
Noun
  • Brunson scored a game-high 30 points, leading a game all five starters scored in double figures.
    Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 24 May 2026
  • Palou has won three straight series titles and holds a 27-point lead in this year’s standings thanks to three win in the season’s first six races.
    Michael Marot, Chicago Tribune, 24 May 2026
Noun
  • Beyond Akkermansia muciniphila, Pendulum's products feature Clostridium butyricum and Clostridium beijerinckii, both butyrate-producing strains that fuel colon cells, support tight junctions in the gut lining, and stimulate GLP-1 production.
    Shimite Obialo, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026
  • The Reon Pocket Pro Plus applies the Peltier effect, in which cooling caused by an electric current flowing across the junction of two different conductors can cause heating or cooling.
    Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 24 May 2026
Noun
  • Boos rained down from the stands with Slot facing the first crisis of his tenure.
    James Pearce, New York Times, 28 May 2026
  • Tran reiterated his call for state and federal investigation and accountability once the crisis has been averted.
    Victoria Le, Oc Register, 27 May 2026
Noun
  • Most of the night went on without a hitch, with several show-stopping moments bringing the audience to their feet, but like every live event, there were a few flubs and a couple eyebrow-raising choices.
    Brendan Le, PEOPLE, 26 May 2026
  • In these moments, Neolin became the Wolf, seeking the Master of Life.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 May 2026
Noun
  • My eyes sneak under his windshield at the intersection.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 29 May 2026
  • All that was left of the snow was shoveled into melting mounds at the edges of intersections and crosswalks.
    Jourdan Rodrigue, New York Times, 28 May 2026
Noun
  • Saugus has won multiple playoff games in each of its first two seasons under head coach Mike Miller.
    Justin Vigil Zuniga, Daily News, 27 May 2026
  • Minter departed at the end of the season to become the Ravens’ head coach and former Chargers safeties coach Chris O’Leary returned this past winter from a one-season stint as the defensive coordinator at Western Michigan to replace Minter.
    Elliott Teaford, Oc Register, 27 May 2026
Noun
  • Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm, popular Southern California theme parks which are in areas adjacent to the evacuation sites, are open early Saturday but officials are monitoring the situation.
    Paris Barraza, USA Today, 24 May 2026
  • This is going to be a very intense situation.
    David W. Brown, New Yorker, 24 May 2026
Noun
  • More than 100 small rocks, and countless fragments of metal, had penetrated his face, neck, shoulders, and extremities.
    Martha Raddatz, The Atlantic, 25 May 2026
  • Placing our extremities in alternative positions to optimize the range of the skin, rather than just the joint, is one example of the specialized care to our survivors receive that directly impacts their functional recovery.
    Dr. Jaclyn M. Piselli, Hartford Courant, 16 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Juncture.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/juncture. Accessed 30 May. 2026.

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