crisis

A very serious situation that threatens people, a country, or the environment and needs urgent action.

• The country faces a food crisis.
• The government failed to prevent the financial crisis.
• Several crises have left thousands of families without homes.

Similar words: emergency

Common phrases: financial crisis, political crisis, face a crisis

A period when you feel deeply confused or upset about yourself or your life.

• She is having an identity crisis.
• Losing his job caused a crisis of confidence.
• Talking to friends helped him through his emotional crisis.

Common phrases: identity crisis, emotional crisis, crisis of confidence

A difficult or frightening change in your life that causes great stress.

• Their divorce caused a family crisis.
• She faced a personal crisis after losing her home.
• They supported each other through several life crises.

Similar words: upheaval

Common phrases: family crisis, personal crisis, life crisis

A sudden change in an illness, after which a person may get better or die.

• The patient survived the crisis.
• Her fever dropped after the crisis had passed.
• The doctor feared another crisis during the night.

Similar words: turning point

Common phrases: pass the crisis, reach a crisis