crisis
cri·sis
noun \ˈkrī-səs\ plural cri·ses\ˈkrī-ˌsēz\
Definition of CRISIS
1
a : the turning point for better or worse in an acute disease or fever b : a paroxysmal attack of pain, distress, or disordered function c : an emotionally significant event or radical change of status in a person's life <a midlife crisis>
2
: the decisive moment (as in a literary plot)
3
a : an unstable or crucial time or state of affairs in which a decisive change is impending; especially : one with the distinct possibility of a highly undesirable outcome <a financial crisis> b : a situation that has reached a critical phase <the environmental crisis>
See Examples of CRISIS
- She was dealing with a family crisis at the time.
- Most people blame the government for the country's worsening economic crisis.
- last year's state budget crisis
- In times of national crisis, we need strong leaders we can trust.
- A year ago, both companies were in crisis.
Origin of CRISIS
Middle English, from Latin, from Greek krisis, literally, decision, from krinein to decide — more at certain
First Known Use: 15th century
Related to CRISIS
Synonyms: boiling point, breaking point, clutch, conjuncture, emergency, crossroad(s), crunch, crunch time, Dunkirk, exigency, extremity, flash point, head, juncture, tinderbox, zero hour
Related Words: 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
See Synonym Discussion at juncture
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