JUNCTURE Synonyms: 98 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

juncture

noun

ˈjəŋ(k)-chər

Definition of juncture

as in point

a particular and often important moment in time at the present juncture, I think the country is looking for a strong president

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in junction

a place where two or more things are united the water is leaking at the juncture of those two pipes

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in crisis

a time or state of affairs requiring prompt or decisive action we have now arrived at a juncture where something must be done to avert war

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 At this juncture, barring a dramatic change in the ownership situation, the likelihood is that Rockingham won’t have a NASCAR national series race next year. — Jordan Bianchi, New York Times, 30 July 2026 The takeover offer puts pressure on a business facing a critical juncture. — Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026 Crucially, Bush struggled to coordinate with senior officials in Washington, leaving him momentarily out of the loop at a terrifying historical juncture. — Peter Kastor, Fortune, 27 July 2026 Despite these challenges, Wong still represented a critical juncture for immigrants, in particular for those of Asian American descent. — Claire Ke, Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for juncture

Recent Examples of Synonyms for juncture

Noun

Meanwhile, the odds of a 25-basis-point or even 50-basis-point rate hike ticked up slightly.

— , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
The algorithm first fixes both cameras on a 3D point and determines the geometric relationship between the resulting images.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of point

Noun

The derailment was caused by an overheated journal box that led to an axle breaking as the train passed through the junction.

— USA Today, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026
To counteract this, daily calf stretches are recommended to decrease strain and tension along the musculotendinous junction of the Achilles tendon.

— Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of junction

Noun

There’s also been lots of moments to dress up for too, with megawatt tours from Harry Styles, Ariana Grande, and Zara Larsson; maximalist pop stars with fans eager to follow their lead in sequins and ties, hibiscus flowers in hair.

— Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 31 Aug. 2026
First, Mary Carillo, the former player and trailblazing broadcaster and journalist, had her moment.

— Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of moment

Noun

The Asian Contents & Film Market (ACFM), the market of the Busan International Film Festival, will present InnoAsia 2026, its program built around the intersection of film and emerging technology.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026
During court on Eyssallenne's preliminary hearing on Tuesday, prosecutors shared jarring dash camera video of the crash, which shows the boy speeding through an intersection before colliding with a car and getting thrown into the air.

— Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of intersection

Noun

The Los Angeles Police Department released a video that shows officers at the Valley jail manhandle an uncooperative inmate who died after he was left handcuffed with a bag over his head while laying prone on the bunk in his cell.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026
The Canadian singer caused a commotion with her ensemble, showing off a head-to-toe Alaïa ensemble from the upcoming Archetypes spring 2027 collection.

— Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of head

Noun

The Samuels’ run, however, was the spark that lit the fuse after the Caravan was denied on a fourth-and-short situation on its opening possession.

— Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026
Meanwhile, Fed policy uncertainty, the Middle East situation, and an earnings season burdened with high expectations could all act as catalysts for fresh turbulence.

— , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of situation

Noun

That allows doctors to evaluate a person’s balance, mobility and lower extremity strength all at once.

— Devi Shastri, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026
The Eagles announced shortly after that Jackson had strength and movement in all of his extremities and was being taken to a local hospital for further evaluation.

— Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of extremity

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junctions

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“Juncture.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/juncture. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of juncture

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