Reading Theme:
Crisis: Meaning, Examples, and Usage Guide (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：a time of intense difficulty or danger (crisis)
crisis
/ˈkraɪsɪs/
n.
A very difficult and dangerous time when you need to make urgent decisions.
a time of intense difficulty or danger
➕
/ə taɪm əv ɪnˈtens ˈdɪfɪkəlti ɔː ˈdeɪndʒər/
n.
A period when a situation is very unstable and threatens serious negative consequences, requiring urgent action to avoid disaster.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Greek 'krisis' (decision, separation), from 'krinein' (to separate, decide).
💡 Mnemonic
Cry 'Crisis!' when you must decide: split 'cri' (critical) and 'sis' (situation).
📖 Example
The family faced a financial crisis after the main breadwinner lost his job.
The family faced a financial crisis after the main breadwinner lost his job.
🔗 Collocations
economic crisis – A severe downturn in the economy
in crisis – Experiencing a critical situation
crisis management – The process of handling a dangerous situation
🔄 Synonyms
emergency (n.) – A serious, unexpected situation requiring immediate action
catastrophe (n.) – An event causing great and often sudden damage or suffering
predicament (n.) – A difficult, unpleasant, or embarrassing situation
🚫 Antonyms
🌱 Derivatives
critical (adj.) – Expressing severe disapproval or relating to a crisis
crisis-ridden (adj.) – Full of crises
📖 Cultural Story
Originally a medical term in ancient Greece for the turning point of a disease, later generalized to any critical moment requiring a decision.
Meaning 2：a critical turning point (crisis)
crisis
/ˈkraɪsɪs/
n.
A time when a difficult or important decision must be made, which will change the future direction.
a critical turning point
➕
/ə ˈkrɪtɪkəl ˈtɜːrnɪŋ pɔɪnt/
n.
A moment when a decision must be made that will determine the future course of events, often involving a fundamental choice.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
Graduating from university was a crisis in her life, forcing her to choose between a stable job and following her artistic dreams.
Graduating from university was a crisis in her life, forcing her to choose between a stable job and following her artistic dreams.
🔗 Collocations
midlife crisis – A period of self-doubt in middle age
identity crisis – A period of uncertainty about one's sense of self
crisis of confidence – A loss of trust or belief in something
🔄 Synonyms
crossroads (n.) – A point at which a crucial decision must be made
turning point (n.) – A time at which a decisive change occurs
dilemma (n.) – A situation requiring a choice between equally undesirable alternatives
🚫 Antonyms
certainty (n.) – A state of being free from doubt
stagnation (n.) – A state of inactivity without progress
🌱 Derivatives
crisis-ridden (adj.) – Full of crises
critical (adj.) – Relating to a crisis or decisive moment
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