exigent

adjective

ex·​i·​gent ˈek-sə-jənt  ˈeg-zə- 

1

: requiring immediate aid or action

exigent circumstances

2

: requiring or calling for much : demanding

an exigent client

exigently adverb

Did you know?

Exigent is a formal word with meanings closely tied to its Latin forbear, exigere, meaning "to demand." Exigent things and people demand attention—for example, an exigent client expects so much that they are hard to satisfy, and exigent circumstances are so significant that they can be used to justify certain police actions without the warrant typically required. Before exigent joined the language in the early 1600s, the noun exigency was being used to refer to something that is necessary in a particular situation—for example, the exigencies of an emergency situation might require that certain usual precautions be ignored. That word dates to the late 1500s, but even earlier, in the mid-1400s, exigence was on the scene doing the same job. All three words—exigent, exigency, and exigence—continue to meet the demands of English users, albeit not frequently in everyday conversation.

Synonyms

• urgent
• acute

Examples of exigent in a Sentence

started his workday with a flood of exigent matters that required his quick decision

Recent Examples on the Web

Jones asserted that exigent circumstances warranted the shortening of the 15-day notice window. —Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 12 Sep. 2025

The training put together by the State Attorney’s Office for the FWC lists exigent circumstances as one of three ways to get a blood draw. —Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 25 July 2025

Homes and vehicles will only be searched under exigent circumstances or with a search warrant. —Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 9 July 2025

Notably, the exigent circumstances rule does not create a blanket exception for murder scenes that would permit unrestricted searches; entry is only permitted to assist victims or locate an attacker. —Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 20 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin exigent-, exigens, present participle of exigere to demand — more at exact

First Known Use

1624, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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Legal Definition

exigent

adjective

ex·​i·​gent ˈek-sə-jənt 

: requiring immediate aid or action see also exigent circumstances