Synonyms of juncture

juncture

noun

ˈjəŋ(k)-chər 

1

as in point

a particular and often important moment in time

at the present juncture, I think the country is looking for a strong president

Synonyms & Similar Words

• point
• moment
• minute
• moment of truth
• second
• instant
• crisis
• while
• stretch
• split second
• cusp
• heartbeat
• tick
• threshold
• nanosecond
• crack
• trice
• shake
• beat
• flash
• wire
• bit
• verge
• spell
• jiffy
• twinkle
• wink
• brink
• nick
• crunch time

2

as in junction

a place where two or more things are united

the water is leaking at the juncture of those two pipes

Synonyms & Similar Words

• junction
• intersection
• confluence
• join
• joining
• joint
• connection
• coupling
• jointure
• tie
• nexus
• link
• interconnection
• articulation
• abutment
• suture
• meeting
• seam
• attachment
• union
• concourse

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• gap
• separation
• fissure
• crack
• rift
• crevice
• cleft

3

as in crisis

a time or state of affairs requiring prompt or decisive action

we have now arrived at a juncture where something must be done to avert war

Synonyms & Similar Words

• crisis
• head
• situation
• extremity
• crossroad(s)
• conjuncture
• exigency
• emergency
• moment of truth
• clutch
• flash point
• crunch
• zero hour
• point of no return
• boiling point
• crunch time
• breaking point
• milestone
• possibility
• Dunkirk
• predicament
• tinderbox
• climax
• corner
• contingency
• landmark
• condition
• happening
• turning point
• impasse
• spot
• pass
• strait
• deadlock
• hot water
• stalemate
• pinch
• hole
• jam
• eleventh hour
• last minute
• scrape
• last ditch
• fix

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun juncture differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of juncture are contingency, crisis, emergency, exigency, pinch, straits, and strait. While all these words mean "a critical or crucial time or state of affairs," juncture stresses the significant concurrence or convergence of events.

an important juncture in our country's history

In what contexts can contingency take the place of juncture?

While the synonyms contingency and juncture are close in meaning, contingency implies an emergency or exigency that is regarded as possible but uncertain of occurrence.

contingency plans

Where would crisis be a reasonable alternative to juncture?

Although the words crisis and juncture have much in common, crisis applies to a juncture whose outcome will make a decisive difference.

a crisis of confidence

When might emergency be a better fit than juncture?

The words emergency and juncture are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, emergency applies to a sudden unforeseen situation requiring prompt action to avoid disaster.

the presence of mind needed to deal with emergencies

When would exigency be a good substitute for juncture?

While in some cases nearly identical to juncture, exigency stresses the pressure of restrictions or urgency of demands created by a special situation.

provide for exigencies

How does the word pinch relate to other synonyms for juncture?

Pinch implies urgency or pressure for action to a less intense degree than exigency or emergency.

come through in a pinch

How are the words strait and straits related as synonyms of juncture?

Strait, now commonly straits, applies to a troublesome situation from which escape is extremely difficult.

in dire straits

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of juncture

Apple works at this vertiginous juncture where Emily Dickinson goes rumbling into Etta James and, lately, Beyoncé; where Nico solves puzzles with Randy Newman, Kurt Weill, Nina Simone and the Beatles. —New York Times, 28 Apr. 2026

Count me as a fan of this idea for a few reasons – most importantly, our country is at a critical juncture in its relatively young existence. —Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026

Richards, 65, takes over at a critical juncture for the city's beleaguered jails system. —ABC News, 24 Apr. 2026

But the village previously said with occupancy declining, the 31-acre property was a prime candidate for redevelopment, given its location at the juncture of Lincolnwood, Skokie, and Chicago's West Rogers Park or West Ridge community. —Adam Harrington, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!