exigency

noun

ex·​i·​gen·​cy ˈek-sə-jən(t)-sē  ˈeg-zə-jən(t)-  ig-ˈzi-jən(t)- 

plural exigencies

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

• boiling point
• breaking point
• clutch
• conjuncture
• crisis
• crossroad(s)
• crunch
• crunch time
• Dunkirk
• emergency
• extremity
• flash point
• head
• juncture
• tinderbox
• zero hour

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

Some point to the exigencies of great-power competition to justify a pilgrimage to Riyadh. —Dalia Dassa Kaye, Foreign Affairs, 3 June 2022

Like every other era since Israel’s birth in 1948, there are always immediate exigencies. —Jta Staff Report, Sun Sentinel, 5 May 2025

There are economic exigencies to putting up a show on Broadway and keeping it running. —Rebecca Milzoff, Billboard, 2 May 2025

In the face of tragedy, Dess’s narrator memorably dramatizes the anxiety-inducing exigencies of the creative arts, and the need of artists to remain focussed on their craft. —The New Yorker, 24 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1588, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for exigency

• indigency

Kids Definition

exigency

noun

ex·​i·​gen·​cy ˈek-sə-jən-sē  ig-ˈzij-ən- 

plural exigencies

: a situation requiring immediate action

Legal Definition

exigency

noun

ex·​i·​gen·​cy ˈek-sə-jən-sē, ik-ˈsi-jən-sē 

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