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crisis
/ˈkɹaɪsɪs/
A crisis represents a tipping point where a situation reaches an extreme, unstable state that demands immediate resolution. It is characterized by urgency and the threat of disaster if no action is taken.
While "problem" suggests something to be solved and "catastrophe" describes a finished ruin, a "crisis" is an active process of instability. It carries a heavy, high-stakes connotation often associated with systemic failure or personal breaking points.
Commonly used in political, economic, or medical contexts (e.g., 'financial crisis', 'midlife crisis'). In these settings, it implies that the status quo has become unsustainable and a decisive change—either for better or worse—is inevitable.
Countable when referring to a specific event or period of instability (three different crises). Uncountable when referring to the general state of instability or the quality of being in a crisis.
💬Casual Conversation
You look like you're having an actual crisis over there.
Tell me about it. This research paper is kicking my butt.
Meanings
Examples
The government is struggling to manage the current economic crisis.
The patient's condition reached a crisis before he finally began to recover.
Collocations & Compounds
economic crisis
A severe downturn in economic activity, characterized by high unemployment, falling incomes, and business failures.
The country is facing a severe economic crisis.
political crisis
A situation of instability and uncertainty in the political sphere, often leading to government collapse or significant policy changes.
The resignation of the prime minister plunged the nation into a political crisis.
financial crisis
A situation where the financial system of a country or region experiences severe disruption, such as bank failures or stock market crashes.
The global financial crisis of 2008 had widespread repercussions.
health crisis
A situation where public health is severely threatened, often by disease outbreaks or a breakdown in healthcare services.
The pandemic led to an unprecedented global health crisis.
energy crisis
A situation where there is a sudden and severe shortage of energy, or a dramatic increase in energy prices.
The war in the region has triggered an energy crisis.
Idioms & Sayings
crisis management
The process of dealing with a sudden, difficult, or dangerous event or situation.
The company's crisis management team worked around the clock to address the issue.
crisis point
The moment when a situation becomes so bad that it must be resolved.
The negotiations reached a crisis point when neither side would compromise.
crisis communication
The process of disseminating information during and after a crisis to manage the crisis's impact.
Effective crisis communication is vital for maintaining public trust.
Etymology
The word 'crisis' comes from the Greek word 'krisis', meaning 'decision' or 'judgment'. It originally referred to the turning point in a disease, where it would become clear whether the patient would recover or die. This sense of a decisive moment or turning point was applied to other situations, including political and personal ones.