STRAIT Synonyms: 62 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

strait

noun

Definition of strait

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

Relevance

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 Shipping traffic through the strait remains well below pre-war levels, but the number of ships crossing the strait rose 27% in the past week, according to a CNN analysis. — Tim Lister, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026 Rezaei said discussions with Oman, located on the other side of the strait, over management of it were ongoing, and said fees would be imposed. — Arkansas Online, 23 Aug. 2026 The effective blockade of the strait has pushed up global oil prices. — Reuters, NBC news, 23 Aug. 2026 The strait had been an open, international waterway before the war. — Los Angeles Times, 23 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for strait

Recent Examples of Synonyms for strait

Noun

Canales told reporters postgame that Evans’ absence was related to a neck injury.

— Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 29 Aug. 2026
The British do retain the order of the NYRA morning line by narrowly keeping Golden Tempo at 5-2 as the top favorite, with Renegade breathing down his neck at 10-3 and at one bookmaker at 16-5.

— Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of neck

Noun

For Alex’s family, those seven months have done little to dull the anguish over what happened to him — or their determination to see the two officers who fired the shots held responsible.

— Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 25 Aug. 2026
Some say there is a fine line between anguish or sadness — and laughter.

— Doug Turnbull, AJC.com, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of anguish

Noun

The island, just over 2 miles long, was created in the late 1960s from sand dredged during the deepening of the Elbe shipping channel that serves the port of Hamburg, then left to itself and gradually planted over.

— Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 28 Aug. 2026
Another transition, as if someone had switched channels to a prestige family drama (kudos to the many hats cinematographer Zach Kuperstein wears), takes us to a regular modern-day suburban street.

— Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of channel

Noun

Its movements and squeaks change in response to the person interacting with it, giving caregivers another way to reduce distress and encourage engagement.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
He was found kneeling in front of a piano and striking the keys, in apparent distress.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of distress

Noun

The one bit of irony is that, despite the rugged features, the SoundLink Max actually sounds better indoors, as the bass thins out if there are no walls for the sound to bounce off of.

— BestReviews, Sun Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2026
In 2000, Ezrin helped the Jayhawks continue exploring classic pop sounds on Smile.

— Steve Appleford, SPIN, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of sound

Noun

California has taken pains to eliminate coal as a source of electricity, and this would be the first coal export terminal in California — or anywhere on the West Coast.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
The world unjustly suppresses and gives pain to an individual.

— Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of pain

Noun

Certain roads — such as Highway 37, which connects Marin County to Napa County on the bay shoreline — as well as parts of Highway 101 and coastal Highway 1 are all at risk for flooding.

— Robert Gauthier, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
The facility contains a dedicated high-bay workspace and chemical laboratories.

— Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of bay

Noun

Bugs Bunny jams himself against the edge and grits his teeth in agony.

— Laura Preston, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2026
The striking bronze sculpture depicts an outstretched arm reaching to the sky as hundreds of small human figures cling to it and each other with expressions of agony.

— Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of agony

Browse Nearby Words

strains

strait

straiten

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Style

“Strait.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/strait. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of strait

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Synonyms of strait

noun

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Articles Related to strait

The Words of the Week - Mar. 13

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