exigency

noun

ex·​i·​gen·​cy ˈek-sə-jən(t)-sē How to pronounce exigency (audio) ˈeg-zə-jən(t)- How to pronounce exigency (audio) ig-ˈzi-jən(t)- How to pronounce exigency (audio)
plural exigencies
Synonyms of exigencynext
1
: that which is required in a particular situation
—usually used in plural
exceptionally quick in responding to the exigencies of modern warfare—D. B. Ottaway
2
a
: the quality or state of being exigent
b
: a state of affairs that makes urgent demands
a leader must act in any sudden exigency

Synonyms

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 
Choose the Right Synonym for exigency

juncture, exigency, emergency, contingency, pinch, strait (or straits) crisis mean a critical or crucial time or state of affairs.

juncture stresses the significant concurrence or convergence of events.

an important juncture in our country's history

exigency stresses the pressure of restrictions or urgency of demands created by a special situation.

provide for exigencies

emergency applies to a sudden unforeseen situation requiring prompt action to avoid disaster.

the presence of mind needed to deal with emergencies

contingency implies an emergency or exigency that is regarded as possible but uncertain of occurrence.

contingency plans

pinch implies urgency or pressure for action to a less intense degree than exigency or emergency.

come through in a pinch

strait, now commonly straits, applies to a troublesome situation from which escape is extremely difficult.

in dire straits

crisis applies to a juncture whose outcome will make a decisive difference.

a crisis of confidence

Examples of exigency in a Sentence

the exigencies requiring snap decisions that traders on the stock exchange face every day
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The point there is that O’Brien is no stranger to the exigencies of pressure as felt at the Breeders’. —Guy Martin, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024 Economic exigencies are often more urgent than a deference to the past, but Little Tokyo is trying to have it both ways. —Thomas Curwen, Los Angeles Times, 2 Aug. 2024 How will our panicked leaders react to this sudden exigency? —Steve Laffey, Baltimore Sun, 8 July 2024 Then, the exigencies of the Cold War alliance, which required each side to sacrifice its own interests for the other’s, contained the seeds of its own demise, whereas the current axis of convenience allows more flexibility. —Joseph Torigian, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for exigency 

Word History

First Known Use

1588, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of exigency was in 1588

Dictionary Entries Near exigency

exigence

exigency

exigent

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Exigency.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exigency. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

Copy Citation

Share

Kids Definition

exigency

noun
ex·​i·​gen·​cy ˈek-sə-jən-sē How to pronounce exigency (audio) ig-ˈzij-ən- How to pronounce exigency (audio)
plural exigencies
: a situation requiring immediate action

Legal Definition

exigency

noun
ex·​i·​gen·​cy ˈek-sə-jən-sē, ik-ˈsi-jən-sē How to pronounce exigency (audio)
plural exigencies
1
: that which is required in a particular situation
—usually used in pl.
2
a
: the quality or state of being exigent
b
: a state of affairs that makes urgent demands
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See All

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Plural and Possessive Names: A Guide

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See All

Popular in Wordplay

See All

Terroir, Oenophile, & Magnum: Ten Words About Wine

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

10 Words from Taylor Swift Songs (Merriam's Version)

9 Superb Owl Words

15 Words That Used to Mean Something Different
See All

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
little chihuahua dressing like a turkey for thanksgiving
Is That Gratitude or Attitude? A Thanksgiving Quiz Decide which words express gratitude and which gi...