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crucial moment

NOUN
critical mass
Synonyms
WEAK
climax crisis crisis point critical juncture critical point critical stage crossroads crunch time decisive moment defining moment do or die time emergency high noon irreversible momentum moment of truth pivotal point point of no return sink or swim time the Rubicon turning point zero hour
NOUN
moment of truth
Synonyms
WEAK
charged moment climax crunch decisive moment defining moment fated moment fateful moment kairos kairotic moment pregnant moment turning point when push comes to shove
NOUN
turning point
Synonyms
STRONGEST
climax critical point crux culmination juncture twist
WEAK
axis change climacteric contingency crisis critical mass critical moment critical period crossing crossroads crucial occurrence crucial period crunch cusp decisive moment defining moment development emergency exigency high noon hinge kairotic moment moment of truth nexus pass peak peripeteia pinch pivot pivotal moment point of no return race against time rising action shift strait transition turn of the tide when push comes to shove zero hour

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.

The allegations surface at a crucial moment in the wide-open primary race to replace outgoing Governor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, and to lead the nation's most populous state, just weeks before voters receive postal ballots.

From BBC • Apr. 11, 2026

Circuit Court of Appeals, answered that whatever more detailed pretext arguments Pitchford later developed on appeal were waived because his defense attorney did not present them to the trial judge at the crucial moment.

From Slate • Apr. 10, 2026

The crucial moment in the third set came when Muchova spilled a forehand long on serve to give Gauff three break points in game three, with another loose shot from the Czech sealing her fate.

From Barron's • Jan. 25, 2026

Previous attempts to study this crucial moment in infection relied on methods like electron microscopy, which require destroying the cells to obtain an image.

From Science Daily • Dec. 4, 2025

Grudgingly I sold him one, ruefully concluding that, as always, work was interfering at a crucial moment.

From "A Confederacy of Dunces" by John Kennedy Toole