crisis
7 synonyms and 0 antonyms for crisis, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A time of intense difficulty, danger, or instability that demands urgent action.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use crisis
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Greek krisis, "a decision or turning point," from krinein, "to judge or decide."
Full origin of crisis →Frequently asked questions
What does “crisis” mean?
The word “crisis” means a time of intense difficulty, danger, or instability that demands urgent action. In plain terms, a serious, urgent problem or turning point.
How do you pronounce “crisis”?
“Crisis” is pronounced KREYE-sihs (/ˈkɹaɪsɪs/ in IPA).
How do you use “crisis” in a sentence?
Here is “crisis” used in a sentence: “The country is facing an economic crisis.”
What part of speech is “crisis”?
“Crisis” is a noun.
Where does the word “crisis” come from?
The word “crisis” comes from Greek. From Greek krisis, "a decision or turning point," from krinein, "to judge or decide.".
Is “crisis” a common word?
“Crisis” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “crisis” have?
“Crisis” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a time of intense difficulty, danger, or instability that demands urgent action.
What is the difference between a crisis and an emergency?
An emergency is a sudden, unexpected event that demands an immediate response, like a fire or an accident — usually sharp and short. A crisis is a longer period of acute danger or instability, often building over time and marking a turning point. Emergencies are moments; a crisis is a difficult, decisive phase.
What is the plural of crisis?
The plural of crisis is crises, pronounced 'CRY-seez'. It follows the pattern of Greek-derived words ending in '-is', which change to '-es' in the plural, like analysis and analyses or thesis and theses. So one crisis, but two or more crises.
What are the types of crisis?
The word applies across many fields. Common types include financial or economic crises, political crises, humanitarian crises involving large-scale human suffering, and health crises such as epidemics. It also describes personal turning points, like an identity crisis or a mid-life crisis. All share intense difficulty and the need for urgent action.
What is an example of a crisis?
A national economy collapsing into recession is a financial crisis. A government losing control and facing collapse is a political crisis. On a personal level, someone overwhelmed by sudden loss may reach a point of crisis. Each is a time of acute difficulty and danger that demands urgent action.