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.

Google said in response to the lawsuit that Gemini repeatedly clarified that it was AI, not human, and referred Gavalas to a crisis hotline "many times."

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 12, 2026

It was a moment of misfortune, the sort that is often the fate of a team, and indeed a club, in crisis.

From BBC • Apr. 12, 2026

India has downplayed any US involvement in resolving the crisis.

From Barron's • Apr. 12, 2026

The conflict has triggered what the United Nations calls the world’s worst humanitarian crisis.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 12, 2026

Later, whenever Eisman set out to explain to others the origins of the financial crisis, he’d start with his dinner with Wing Chau.

From "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis

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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