Crisis: meaning, definitions and examples
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crisis
[ ˈkraɪsɪs ]
economic
A crisis is a time of intense difficulty or danger, when a situation reaches a critical point. It can refer to a sudden downturn in the economy, a natural disaster, or a political upheaval.
Synonyms
calamity, disaster, emergency.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| crisis |
A critical or decisive moment or situation that often brings a turning point and requires immediate attention. It can refer to political, economic, personal, or medical situations.
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| disaster |
A sudden event, such as an accident or a natural catastrophe, that causes great damage or loss of life. It can range from natural events to man-made incidents.
|
| emergency |
A serious, unexpected situation requiring immediate action. Often referring to health, safety, or security issues.
|
| calamity |
A disastrous event marked by great loss and lasting distress and suffering. Typically used for large-scale and often natural tragedies.
|
Examples of usage
- The financial crisis of 2008 had a profound impact on global markets.
- The country is facing an environmental crisis due to pollution.
personal
A crisis can also refer to a period of emotional turmoil or difficulty in a person's life. It is often characterized by feelings of overwhelming stress or anxiety.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| crisis |
A serious or urgent situation that requires immediate attention, often relating to events that can cause significant harm or disruption.
|
| breakdown |
A failure in a system, operation, or situation, causing a collapse or malfunction. Can also refer to a person experiencing severe stress or mental collapse.
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| meltdown |
A situation where things rapidly get worse, often used to describe emotional outbursts or the failing of a system in a dramatic way. Often has a somewhat informal tone.
|
| turmoil |
A state of great confusion, disturbance, or uncertainty, often used to describe social, political, or emotional chaos.
|
Examples of usage
- She sought help from a therapist during her mental health crisis.
- He experienced a midlife crisis and decided to make significant life changes.
Translations
Translations of the word "crisis" in other languages:
🇵🇹 crise
🇮🇳 संकट
🇩🇪 Krise
🇮🇩 krisis
🇺🇦 криза
🇵🇱 kryzys
🇯🇵 危機 (kiki)
🇫🇷 crise
🇪🇸 crisis
🇹🇷 kriz
🇰🇷 위기 (wigi)
🇸🇦 أزمة (azma)
🇨🇿 krize
🇸🇰 kríza
🇨🇳 危机 (wēijī)
🇸🇮 kriza
🇮🇸 kreppa
🇰🇿 дағдарыс (dağdarys)
🇬🇪 კრიზისი (krizisi)
🇦🇿 böhran
🇲🇽 crisis
Etymology
The word 'crisis' originated from the Greek word 'krisis', meaning 'decision' or 'turning point'. In Ancient Greek, it was used in a medical context to refer to the turning point of a disease, when the patient would either recover or die. Over time, the meaning of 'crisis' expanded to include any decisive moment of great difficulty or danger.