crisis

[ krahy-sis ]

noun

, plural cri·ses [krahy, -seez].

1. a stage in a sequence of events at which the trend of all future events, especially for better or for worse, is determined; turning point.
2. a condition of instability or danger, as in social, economic, political, or international affairs, leading to a decisive change.
3. a dramatic emotional or circumstantial upheaval in a person's life.
4. Medicine/Medical.
   1. the point in the course of a serious disease at which a decisive change occurs, leading either to recovery or to death.
   2. the change itself.
5. the point in a play or story at which hostile elements are most tensely opposed to each other.

adjective

1. of, referring to, or for use in dealing with a crisis.

crisis

/ ˈkraɪsɪs /

noun

1. a crucial stage or turning point in the course of something, esp in a sequence of events or a disease
2. an unstable period, esp one of extreme trouble or danger in politics, economics, etc
3. pathol a sudden change, for better or worse, in the course of a disease

Other Words From

• crisic adjective
• post·crisis adjective noun plural postcrises

Word History and Origins

Origin of crisis¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Latin crisis “(medical) crisis,” from Greek krísis “decision, interpretation,” equivalent to kri- variant stem of krīnein “to decide, separate, judge” + -sis -sis

Word History and Origins

Origin of crisis¹

C15: from Latin: decision, from Greek krisis, from krinein to decide

Synonym Study

See emergency.

Example Sentences

There could also be a constitutional crisis over the mere appointment of figures like Gaetz and Hegseth if Trump, as he has reportedly considered doing, tries to install them in the Cabinet during congressional “recesses” rather than through the traditional confirmation process.

From Slate

“CAF has spent all year growing our development capacity and sounding the alarm of the abortion access current crisis, and specifically the funding crisis,” Qudsiyyah Shariyf, the interim executive director of the Chicago Abortion Fund, told Salon.

From Salon

"It is no longer about illegal miners – this is a humanitarian crisis," said Ms Thabane.

From BBC

The government brought in rules to allow certain prisoners to be released earlier to deal with what it said was a "crisis in prison places".

From BBC

In his manifesto, which he titled “The Inconvenient Truth” — a seeming nod to Al Gore’s documentary about the climate crisis — he wrote that “water sheds around the country, especially in agricultural areas, are being depleted.”

From Salon

Related Words

• catastrophe
• change
• confrontation
• crunch
• deadlock
• dilemma
• disaster
• emergency
• impasse
• mess
• pressure
• situation
• trouble