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 screen served different purposes at different junctures. Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 9 May 2025 The Shoreline plan also comes at a critical juncture for Virginia Key, the 1,000-acre island that’s bisected by the Rickenbacker and split between City of Miami and county jurisdiction. Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 23 May 2025 According to Bloomberg, there's a growing sense that Trump's efforts to broker a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia are reaching a critical juncture. Isabel Van Brugen, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 May 2025 Tesla is at a critical juncture right now, Spak wrote. Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 1 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for juncture
Recent Examples of Synonyms for juncture
Noun
  • The point of emphasis for him right now is fielding slow rollers.
    Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 28 May 2025
  • In the league, even though Villa were staggering along, the points tally kept ticking over.
    Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 28 May 2025
Noun
  • Serving as celebratory checkpoints, physical pit stops, resupply junctions, med centers, and social refreshers, some mountain communities have gained a reputation as legendary, near-mythic stopovers.
    Eric J. Wallace, Outside Online, 31 May 2025
  • On one end is a junction that allows it to be plugged into the beam of particles produced by the existing facility.
    John Timmer, ArsTechnica, 19 May 2025
Noun
  • Let this list, which mostly eschews household names, be an antidote to that crisis, surveying 2025’s most notable releases thus far across pop, rock, electronic, rap, and Latin music.
    Jenn Pelly, Time, 7 June 2025
  • Northwest and West metros essentially owned the top of the housing crisis list.
    Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 7 June 2025
Noun
  • And in the previous season, under Gary O’Neil, Ait-Nouri’s minutes were spread around even more positions as the former Wolves head coach operated a hybrid system, combining a 3-4-3 system similar to Pereira’s with elements of a 4-4-2 at different moments.
    Steve Madeley, New York Times, 6 June 2025
  • In its best moments, which are fantastic, Claudio dives deep into the unsettling nature of memory loss and denial but also into our incredible ability to recall and survive things from long ago.
    Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 5 June 2025
Noun
  • The incident occurred just before 1:30 p.m. on Sunday at the intersection of 13th Street and Pearl Street.
    Leah Sarnoff, ABC News, 2 June 2025
  • Turning to Tim: Tim brings vast experience leading high-impact commercial organizations at the intersection of media, technology, and consumer behavior.
    Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 2 June 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
  • When Crosby was finally ready to go, Tsamis signed him and immediately put him into a pressure situation.
    Paul Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 3 June 2025
  • The specifics of Mexico's situation make this trade-off even more stark, experts say.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 June 2025
Noun
  • An autopsy later found that Charles died of blunt trauma of his head, torso and extremities, the warrant affidavit said.
    Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 15 May 2025
  • Inside the suitcase were human remains which consisted of a female torso without the extremities, head and neck, and a black trash bag, which was next to the neck area, the warrant affidavit said.
    Kellie Love, Hartford Courant, 30 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Juncture.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/juncture. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

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