Definition

1. Noun:
   • A point in time, especially one made critical by a concurrence of circumstances: A juncture refers to a specific moment, often a decisive or important one, when events or conditions come together.
   • A place where things join; a junction: In a more literal sense, a juncture can be the point or line where two things are connected.

Usage and Examples

• Referring to a critical point in time:
  • At this juncture in the negotiations, we must be very careful with our words.
  • The company's future will be decided at the upcoming juncture.
• Referring to a point of connection (less common in everyday use):
  • The juncture of the two rivers creates a fertile valley.
  • The pipeline failed at the welded juncture.

Advanced Usage

• "At this juncture": At this particular point, especially in a process or series of events.
  • At this juncture, I would like to thank everyone for their hard work.
• "At a critical juncture": At a very important or decisive moment.
  • The peace talks are at a critical juncture.

Variants and Related Words

• Junction (n): A point where two or more things meet or are joined. This is more commonly used for physical connections (e.g., road junction, railroad junction).
• Conjuncture (n): A combination of events or circumstances; a state of affairs. This is a rarer, more formal synonym for the temporal meaning of "juncture."

Synonyms

• Point: A particular moment in time or stage in a process.
• Moment: A very brief period of time, often a significant one.
• Stage: A distinct period or phase in a process.
• Crossroads: A critical point where a decision must be made (figurative).

Antonyms

• Continuity: The unbroken and consistent existence or operation of something over time.
• Disconnection: A lack of connection or continuity.

Idioms and Phrases

• "At a/the juncture of": Being at the point where two things meet or a decision between paths is required.
  • The nation stood at the juncture of war and peace.

Noun

1. the shape or manner in which things come together and a connection is made
2. a crisis situation or point in time when a critical decision must be made
   • at that juncture he had no idea what to do
   • he must be made to realize that the company stands at a critical point
3. an event that occurs at a critical time
   • at such junctures he always had an impulse to leave
   • it was needed only on special occasions