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 And there were boastful messages about finding a way to get Europe to pay for the operation — but nothing about China, which benefits hugely from the trade passing through the straits near Yemen, including much of its oil imports and its exports to Europe. Steven Erlanger, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2025 The area around the strait in the past has seen Iran seize commercial ships and purportedly launch attacks since President Donald Trump first unilaterally withdrew America from Tehran's nuclear deal with world powers. Graham Underwood, arkansasonline.com, 12 Mar. 2025 China claims sovereignty over the entire strait even though in accordance with international law its sovereignty ends after the 12-nautical-mile-wide territorial sea. Matt Robison, Newsweek, 18 Feb. 2025 Taiwan's foreign ministry said in a separate statement that a Canadian warship, the Ottawa, had sailed through the strait on Sunday. Reuters, USA TODAY, 16 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for strait
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strait
Noun
  • Designed for use below the neck, these tools help alleviate tension and strain on areas of your body that are more prone to stress than your face.
    Allure, Allure, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Ambulances were called to take two people — a man and a woman who had each been stabbed in the neck — to hospitals, the spokesman said.
    James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • In the episode, Duran describes his mental anguish during that time and some of the steps he’s taken since then to improve his mental health.
    Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025
  • And all of that anguish of going through that process of retrying to develop my body in a way that will never be the same anyway.
    Outside Online, Outside Online, 26 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • These marketers are breaking down silos between organic, paid, and affiliate channels, leveraging creators who not only create engaging content but also convert.
    Jamie Gutfreund, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
  • There isn’t an equivalent channel this time around, according to a Beijing official familiar with Sino-American ties, adding that China wasn’t sure who spoke for Trump on their relationship.
    Beijing and Washington Bureaus, USA Today, 14 Apr. 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
  • Four days later, Todd used that fan’s sound to share a TikTok post of him in the recording studio.
    Jason Lipshutz, Billboard, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Hopefully, this is only the start of a scene-renaissance that brings the sound to new heights.
    Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 9 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • In a lengthy interview with The Daily Mail, Moran's friend, Terry Stone, told the outlet that Moran's girlfriend was the one to encourage him to seek medical help after the actor was experiencing neck pain.
    Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Idaho police department faces scrutiny: Officers shoot disabled teen 9 times Mayor says shooting brought pain to community The officers involved were placed on administrative leave.
    John Bacon, USA Today, 13 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Fifteen years after her husband’s drowning in the nearby bay, Tressilian’s days are spent in a cranky routine: grumbling over the obscene resort stationed on the opposite bluff, reading London’s gossip columns, and summoning the household help with the insistent ringing of a bedroom call bell.
    Erik Morse, Vogue, 15 Apr. 2025
  • Some cooks use bay leaves in the pantry to deter moths, weevils, and other pests.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 14 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • His experiences at Fuchu Prison left him with frostbite, screaming in agony, after being exposed to sub-zero temperatures during 20 days in solitary confinement.
    Daniel Taylor, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2025
  • What began as a blissful afternoon in the Florida sun ended in agony when a Jeep Wrangler suddenly barreled over a man lying on the beach, police said.
    Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 9 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Strait.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strait. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

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