Crisis — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ˈkrī-səs/ cri·sis

Meaning & Definition of Crisis

Crisis (noun)

  1. the turning point for better or worse in an acute disease or fever
  2. a paroxysmal attack of pain, distress, or disordered function
  3. an emotionally significant event or radical change of status in a person's life

Crisis (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a time or state of affairs requiring prompt or decisive action

    "the governor responded swiftly and surely to the crisis"

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

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Crisis

The most common words with a similar meaning to Crisis:

boiling point, breaking point, clutch, conjuncture, crossroad(s), crunch, crunch time, Dunkirk, emergency, exigency, extremity, flash point, head, juncture, tinderbox, zero hour, moment of truth, point of no return

Related Words for Crisis

contingency, possibility, climax, turning point, happening, landmark, milestone, condition, pass, situation, strait, deadlock, impasse, stalemate, corner, fix, hole, hot water, jam, last ditch, pinch, predicament, scrape, spot, eleventh hour, last minute

Word Forms of Crisis

Inflections: crises

Origin & Etymology of Crisis

Middle English crise, crisis, borrowed from Latin crisis "judgment, critical stage," borrowed from Greek krísis "act of separating, decision, judgment, event, outcome, turning point, sudden change," from kri-, variant stem of krī́nein "to separate, choose, decide, judge" + -sis, suffix forming nouns of action or process certain:1

First known use: 15th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Crisis

Words & Phrases Containing Crisis

identity crisis, midlife crisis, hostage crisis, precrisis

Frequently Asked Questions about Crisis

What does "Crisis" mean?

"Crisis" means the turning point for better or worse in an acute disease or fever. As a noun, it is defined as: the turning point for better or worse in an acute disease or fever.

What is another word for "Crisis"?

Other words for "Crisis" include boiling point, breaking point, clutch, conjuncture, crossroad(s), crunch, crunch time and Dunkirk. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Crisis" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Crisis"?

There are 44 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Crisis". Common alternatives include boiling point, breaking point, clutch, conjuncture, crossroad(s), crunch, crunch time, Dunkirk, emergency and exigency.

How do you use "Crisis" in a sentence?

Examples of "Crisis" in a sentence: "the governor responded swiftly and surely to the crisis".

Is "Crisis" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Crisis" is a noun.

Is "Crisis" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Crisis" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+.

How do you pronounce "Crisis"?

"Crisis" is pronounced /ˈkrī-səs/ and divided into syllables as cri·sis.

What is the origin of the word "Crisis"?

"Crisis" comes from Middle English crise, crisis, borrowed from Latin crisis "judgment, critical stage," borrowed from Greek krísis "act of separating, decision, judgment, event, outcome, turning point, sudden change," from kri-, variant stem of krī́nein "to separate, choose, decide, judge" + -sis, suffix forming nouns of action or process certain:1. First known use: 15th century.