plural exigencies
1
: that which is required in a particular situation
usually used in plural
exceptionally quick in responding to the exigencies of modern warfareD. 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
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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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 Conor, as Crown Prince, is both hemmed in by duty and the exigencies of power, has been forced by the illness of his father to take more responsibility for his kingdom. EW.com, 20 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

Cite this Entry

“Exigency.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exigency. Accessed 6 Nov. 2024.

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: - Definition revised
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