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.

Into this already fragile system comes the fuel crisis, compounding every existing problem.

From Salon • Apr. 11, 2026

Prices spiked following previous disruptions during the financial crisis of 2008 and the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026

The crisis has raised average gasoline prices to $4.15 a gallon and diesel to $5.68 a gallon, although there are signs that those may have peaked — for now.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 10, 2026

With those words, the Epstein crisis that had plagued the president was once again front and centre thanks to his wife.

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026

That crisis began with Columbus’s landfall in 1492.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton

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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