crisis

[krahy-sis] / ˈkraɪ sɪs /

NOUN

critical situation

Synonyms

STRONGEST

catastrophe change confrontation crunch deadlock dilemma disaster emergency impasse mess pressure situation trouble

STRONG

climacteric climax contingency corner crossroad crux culmination embarrassment entanglement exigency extremity height imbroglio juncture necessity pass perplexity pickle pinch plight predicament puzzle quandary stew strait trauma trial urgency

WEAK

big trouble dire straits hot potato hour of decision moment of truth point of no return turning point

Antonyms

STRONGEST

agreement benefit blessing breakthrough calm good fortune good luck happiness miracle peace solution success wonder

STRONG

advantage boon certainty

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“We’ve got a housing crisis on our hands, and other things haven’t worked,” Curtis said.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 9, 2026

This is the highest witnessed since the global financial crisis of 2008.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 8, 2026

We are experiencing pain, but this is clearly not, as many have claimed, a historic energy crisis.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 8, 2026

The White House confirmed to the BBC that Trump called Netanyahu to discuss the crisis.

From BBC • Jun. 8, 2026

Mama was calm, steady, ideal in a crisis.

From "Beasts of Prey" by Ayana Gray

Vocabulary lists containing crisis

"The Civil Rights Movement"

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Calamity, Catastrophe, and Crisis: Disaster Words

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Michelle Obama's Speech at the 2016 DNC

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