strait

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun strait differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of strait are contingency, crisis, emergency, exigency, juncture, pinch, and straits. While all these words mean "a critical or crucial time or state of affairs," strait, now commonly straits, applies to a troublesome situation from which escape is extremely difficult.

in dire straits

In what contexts can contingency take the place of strait?

In some situations, the words contingency and strait are roughly equivalent. However, contingency implies an emergency or exigency that is regarded as possible but uncertain of occurrence.

contingency plans

When might crisis be a better fit than strait?

The words crisis and strait are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, crisis applies to a juncture whose outcome will make a decisive difference.

a crisis of confidence

When is it sensible to use emergency instead of strait?

The meanings of emergency and strait largely overlap; however, emergency applies to a sudden unforeseen situation requiring prompt action to avoid disaster.

the presence of mind needed to deal with emergencies

Where would exigency be a reasonable alternative to strait?

While the synonyms exigency and strait are close in meaning, 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 strait?

The words juncture and strait 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 is pinch related to other words for strait?

Pinch implies urgency or pressure for action to a less intense degree than exigency or emergency.

come through in a pinch

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 strait The frigid waters in the area pose a challenge for those who attempt to cross the strait. Greg Wehner, Fox News, 13 Feb. 2025 Tom Turner, the new winemaker at Martinborough Vineyard, was previously working at a larger winery just across the strait in Marlborough. Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 3 Feb. 2025 The approval follows a meeting Lara held with State Farm executives last month in Oakland to press them on their claims that the company’s California subsidiary is in financial straits. Ethan Varian, The Mercury News, 14 Mar. 2025 This year's drill likely sparked a warning late Monday from the British military's United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center, which said there was GPS interference in the strait, with disruptions lasting for several hours and forcing crews to rely on backup navigation methods. Graham Underwood, arkansasonline.com, 12 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for strait
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strait
Noun
  • This pillow has two height options to dial in the perfect amount of neck support.
    Miles Walls, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Bryan Danielson's wrestling career faces uncertainty due to a severe neck injury.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Her teammates surrounded her, doing their best to block her anguish from the view of nearby photographers, before trainers arrived to help her.
    Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2025
  • Hiding your anguish while pretending to be excited.
    Melissa Willets, Parents, 25 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Focus On Short-Term Performance Indicators Focus on short-term performance indicators like channel and engagement metrics.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Immigration officials, however, will only contact you through official government channels (such as your USCIS account) and will not contact you through your personal social media accounts, according to the USCIS website.
    Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • At the Santa Monica test location after the rains, the level of beryllium — a metal that is toxic to fish and corals and causes respiratory distress in humans — was more than 10 times the maximum limit allowed.
    Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2025
  • The result: Some doctors and hospitals have held back on treatments, waiting for the fetal heartbeat to stop or for patients to wind up in undeniable distress.
    Kavitha Surana, ProPublica, 27 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The importance of sound and reclaiming one’s voice in a toxic relationship takes more of a literal shape when the vacationing pair overhears a neighboring couple violently fighting in the villa below them.
    Glenn Garner, Deadline, 30 Mar. 2025
  • The series earned 24 nominations at the 2023 Emmys and won eight of those awards, including outstanding guest actress (Storm Reid), guest actor (Nick Offerman), picture editing, main title design, prosthetic makeup, sound editing, sound mixing and visual effects.
    Brian Anthony Hernandez, People.com, 29 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Her pain and rage, her desire to be coddled and loved all announced itself with a furious punk purity.
    Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 22 Mar. 2025
  • While there are arguments that business cycle fluctuations and downturns can carry silver linings for some individuals or economic outcomes, these events come at the cost of others’ pain and hardship, Schwandt said.
    Alicia Wallace, CNN, 21 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The small bay features tranquil turquoise waters and bobbing luzzu (Malta’s brightly colored traditional fishing boats), as well as rocky shallows perfect for snorkelers keen to spot crustaceans and schools of sun-loving fish.
    AFAR Media, AFAR Media, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Already this year, researchers with the Center for Coastal Studies have seen 80 right whales in the bay, the center said.
    Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 18 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Another video showed a woman wailing in agony over one of the victims.
    Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAY, 22 Mar. 2025
  • On a nation’s struggle and agony; the nature of democracy; Trump vs. Canada; and more On Monday, next to the Hudson River in New York, there was a demonstration.
    Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 12 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Strait.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strait. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.

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