strait

noun

Definition of straitnext
1
as in neck
a narrow body of water between two land masses as the ship headed east through the Strait of Gibraltar, Spain was on our left and Africa on our right

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in anguish
often straits plural a state of great suffering of body or mind in great straits over the loss of her mother's cherished necklace

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Plus, Iran’s previous attempt to close the strait in the 1980s wasn’t a success, either, as the US Navy intervened then to protect shipping lanes. —John Choong, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025 Investors worried that Iran might attempt to close the strait during the conflict with Israel. —Spencer Kimball,ruxandra Iordache,christina Cheddar Berk, CNBC, 24 June 2025 The Iranian parliament backed a measure to close the strait, but the final decision was up to Iran's Supreme National Security Council, Iranian TV said. —Susan Miller, USA Today, 24 June 2025 At its narrowest point, the strait is about 21 miles wide, with two shipping lanes that are 2 miles wide in each direction. —Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for strait
Recent Examples of Synonyms for strait
  1. neck
  2. anguish
  3. channel
  4. distress
  5. sound
  6. pain
  7. bay
  8. agony
Noun
  • He was found unresponsive in his cell, lying on his side with his jumpsuit tied around his neck, according to the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office.
    — Rey Covarrubias Jr, AZCentral.com, 20 July 2025
  • Women were slightly more likely than men to choose less common descriptors like fullness and indigestion, and believe that pain could present in the jaw, neck, or upper back – areas that women more frequently report pain during actual heart attacks.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 19 July 2025
Definition of neck
Noun
  • But the first lady and I are here in Texas to express the love and support and the anguish of our entire nation in the aftermath of this really horrific and deadly flood.
    — Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 11 July 2025
  • Ming-Na Wen Tapped Into Deep Emotions To Play Dr. Fong In ‘Karate Kid: Legends’ While Ming-Na Wen doesn’t throw a punch in Karate Kid: Legends, that doesn’t mean her character hasn’t been in past battles, particularly those dealing with mental anguish.
    — Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 19 June 2025
Definition of anguish
Noun
  • The new regulations require affordability checks, clearer customer information, and proper complaint channels, placing BNPL closer to traditional credit in both responsibility and scrutiny.
    — Kate Hardcastle, Forbes.com, 18 July 2025
  • Confirm the availability of English-speaking staff, translators if needed, and clear channels for pre- and post-treatment communication.
    — Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 18 July 2025
Definition of channel
Noun
  • Extreme heat can also be an obstacle to exercising, spending time in nature, and socializing, all of which can make people feel good and also double as important coping mechanisms for emotional distress.
    — Yasmin Tayag, The Atlantic, 26 July 2025
  • Phillips hid the pregnancy and acted under extreme emotional distress, citing financial struggles and homelessness at the time, her lawyer said.
    — Lesley Cosme Torres, People.com, 25 July 2025
Definition of distress
Noun
  • The other Emmy nominations for The Last of Us include best production design, casting, picture editing, contemporary makeup, prosthetic makeup, music supervision, nonfiction short (for a making-of documentary), sound editing, sound mixing and special visual effects.
    — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 15 July 2025
  • That sound helps to accentuate the N e-Shift system, which simulates virtual gears.
    — Tim Stevens, ArsTechnica, 14 July 2025
Definition of sound
Noun
  • At least half of the people with PsA will experience symptoms in their feet, such as swelling, pain, and tenderness.
    — Sherri Gordon, Health, 19 July 2025
  • Abdominal fat, particularly in midlife and later in life, has been implicated in a number of serious conditions including chronic pain, stroke and cardiovascular disease.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 19 July 2025
Definition of pain
Noun
  • The capsize reportedly happened near the Dau Go Cave – one of the largest in the bay.
    — Eve Brennan, CNN Money, 20 July 2025
  • Soak in mineral-rich hot springs while taking in views of the bay at Manyo Club.
    — Kim Kay, Travel + Leisure, 20 July 2025
Definition of bay
Noun
  • The point isn’t just to resolve in-the-moment agony.
    — Erica Sloan, SELF, 16 July 2025
  • Jamal Musiala was writhing in agony, but what really hit hard was the way players on both teams were reacting to the Bayern Munich forward’s injury.
    — Oliver Kay, New York Times, 6 July 2025
Definition of agony

Browse Nearby Words

strains
strait
straiten
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Strait.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strait. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.

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