Thesaurus results for EMERGENCY

Q: How does the noun 'emergency' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of emergency are contingency , crisis , exigency , juncture , pinch , straits , and strait . While all these words mean "a critical or crucial time or state of affairs," emergency applies to a sudden unforeseen situation requiring prompt action to avoid disaster. // the presence of mind needed to deal with emergencies

Q: When is 'contingency' a more appropriate choice than 'emergency'?

The words contingency and emergency can be used in similar contexts, but contingency implies an emergency or exigency that is regarded as possible but uncertain of occurrence. // contingency plans

Q: When is it sensible to use 'crisis' instead of 'emergency'?

The synonyms crisis and emergency are sometimes interchangeable, but crisis applies to a juncture whose outcome will make a decisive difference. // a crisis of confidence

Q: Where would 'exigency' be a reasonable alternative to 'emergency'?

In some situations, the words exigency and emergency are roughly equivalent. However, exigency stresses the pressure of restrictions or urgency of demands created by a special situation. // provide for exigencies

Q: When would 'juncture' be a good substitute for 'emergency'?

The meanings of juncture and emergency largely overlap; however, juncture stresses the significant concurrence or convergence of events. // an important juncture in our country's history

Q: How is 'pinch' related to other words for 'emergency'?

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 'emergency'?

Strait , now commonly straits , applies to a troublesome situation from which escape is extremely difficult. // in dire straits

emergency

noun

i-ˈmər-jən(t)-sē

Definition of emergency next

as in crisis

a time or state of affairs requiring prompt or decisive action an alert, quick-thinking girl who is good to have around in an emergency

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun emergency differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of emergency are contingency, crisis, exigency, juncture, pinch, straits, and strait. While all these words mean "a critical or crucial time or state of affairs," emergency applies to a sudden unforeseen situation requiring prompt action to avoid disaster.

the presence of mind needed to deal with emergencies

When is contingency a more appropriate choice than emergency?

The words contingency and emergency can be used in similar contexts, but contingency implies an emergency or exigency that is regarded as possible but uncertain of occurrence.

contingency plans

When is it sensible to use crisis instead of emergency?

The synonyms crisis and emergency are sometimes interchangeable, but crisis applies to a juncture whose outcome will make a decisive difference.

a crisis of confidence

Where would exigency be a reasonable alternative to emergency?

In some situations, the words exigency and emergency are roughly equivalent. However, 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 emergency?

The meanings of juncture and emergency largely overlap; however, 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 emergency?

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 emergency?

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 emergency Declaring a state of emergency allows the Indiana Department of Homeland Security to offer financial assistance under the State Disaster Relief Fund to help cover expenses caused by the storm damage. —

Jade Jackson, IndyStar, 23 July 2025 Three ambulances immediately rushed to the oceanside beach and emergency personnel attended to two adult male patients. —

Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 22 July 2025 Just days later, Texas emergency officials urged the public to avoid areas along the Guadalupe River, where floods killed more than 100 people, warning that disaster tourism could hinder rescue efforts. —

Lila Hempel-Edgers july 22, Charlotte Observer, 22 July 2025 If trapped by moving water, seek the highest possible point and contact emergency services by calling 911. —

Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 11 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for emergency

Recent Examples of Synonyms for emergency

crisis

Noun

Things happen, our heroes react, a potentially world-ending crisis is easily averted and everything is wrapped up in time for dinner.

— Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 26 July 2025
Yet this rift still coincides with a deepening fiscal crisis.

— Joël Té-Léssia Assoko, semafor.com, 25 July 2025

Definition of crisis

Browse Nearby Words

emergencies

emergency

emergent

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Emergency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/emergency. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

Copy Citation

Last Updated: 28 Jul 2025 - Updated example sentences

Synonyms of emergency

noun

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on emergency

More from Merriam-Webster

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Word of the Day

quibble

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Using Bullet Points ( • )

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Popular in Wordplay

Our Best Historical Slang Terms

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Better Ways to Say 'This Sucks'

8 Words with Fascinating Histories

Popular

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Our Best Historical Slang Terms

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Games & Quizzes

Synonyms of emergency

noun

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on emergency

More from Merriam-Webster

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Word of the Day

quibble

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Using Bullet Points ( • )

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Popular in Wordplay

Our Best Historical Slang Terms

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Better Ways to Say 'This Sucks'

8 Words with Fascinating Histories

Popular

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Our Best Historical Slang Terms

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Games & Quizzes