WordGarden.ioconjuncture
C2Pronunciation
UK
US
- /kəndʒˈʌŋktʃər/
Meanings
Noun
a particular situation or combination of circumstances, often at an important moment
the act or state of things being joined or combined
Beyond the definition
Imagine standing at a crossroads—this is a conjuncture. It is the specific moment when various events or circumstances come together, often leading to important consequences. A conjuncture isn't just any coming-together; it's an important one where different forces meet. Think about a recession happening at the same time as rising oil prices; together, they can create a difficult economic situation. Or picture a talented musician meeting a smart producer—this could be the start of something big. The word can also hint at uncertainty, because what happens next depends on how those forces play out.
The word "conjuncture" refers to a particular set of circumstances or events, especially when they come together at a key moment. It's more than just a coincidence; it suggests an important alignment where different factors combine to form a specific situation.
Historically, "conjuncture" comes from the Latin coniunctura, meaning a joining or combination. This origin highlights its core meaning: things coming together. It is most frequently used in contexts like politics, history, and economics. For example, saying "the political conjuncture favored reform" means that the specific alignment of power, public opinion, and social pressure at that moment made change possible.
It is important to distinguish "conjuncture" from "conjunction." While "conjunction" often refers to the simple act of joining or a specific astronomical alignment of planets, "conjuncture" almost always refers to the result of things joining—specifically the overall situation at a given time. In technical contexts like economics, the term is sometimes used as "economic conjuncture" to describe the state of an economy at a given time, such as whether it is currently booming or entering a recession.
So, whether you're analyzing historical shifts or understanding market trends, "conjuncture" points to a crucial moment where various forces converge to shape what happens next—a point of intersection with potentially far-reaching effects.
Examples
- 1
Political crisis
The country reached a dangerous conjuncture after months of political unrest.
- 2
Negotiations
At this conjuncture, even a small mistake could ruin the negotiations.
- Usageat this conjuncture
formal for at this particular time or stage
- 3
Economic situation
Given the current economic conjuncture, the company has delayed its hiring plans.
- Domaineconomic conjuncture
the overall economic situation at a particular time
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Do not confuse
Used with (collocations)
- at this conjuncture
- critical conjuncture
- historical conjuncture
- political conjuncture
Word family
- conjunctural
Explore
- turning point
- contingency
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- conjuncturenoun
Forms
- conjuncturespluralnoun