Definitions

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.

"A lot of these countries were hoping that US military bases on their territory would provide them with security, not make them a target," says Ali Vaez, Iran project director for the International Crisis Group.

From BBC • Jul. 5, 2026

Magnus Taylor, a Horn of Africa analyst at the International Crisis Group think-tank, does not believe there will be an immediate return to war.

From BBC • Jun. 21, 2026

Crisis negotiators were able to negotiate the safe surrender of one of the hostages inside the building, Bakersfield Police Sgt.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 3, 2026

Crisis strikes the kitchen when our forgotten, shelved-away ingredients teeter on the fine line between fresh and spoiled.

From Salon • May 30, 2026

“Sorry about that, kiddo. Crisis resolved for the moment.”

From "The Thing About Jellyfish" by Ali Benjamin

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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