Often, straits. ( used with a singular verb ) a narrow passage of water connecting two large bodies of water.

Often, straits. a position of difficulty, distress, or need

Ill and penniless, he was in sad straits indeed.

Archaic . a narrow passage or area.

an isthmus.

narrow

Strait is the gate.

affording little space; confined in area.

strict, as in requirements or principles.

noun

advantage , solution , success

noun

bewilderment , bind , bottleneck * , choke point , contingency , crossroad , dilemma , distress , embarrassment , emergency , exigency , extremity , hardship , hole * , mess * , mystification , pass , perplexity , pinch * , plight , predicament , rigor , squeeze * , turning point * , vicissitude , zero hour * , inlet , narrows , sound , channel , crisis , difficulty , isthmus , juncture , pinch , restriction , stressful