Synonym Chooser

How does the noun exigency differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of exigency are contingency, crisis, emergency, juncture, pinch, straits, and strait. While all these words mean "a critical or crucial time or state of affairs," exigency stresses the pressure of restrictions or urgency of demands created by a special situation.

provide for exigencies

When can contingency be used instead of exigency?

In some situations, the words contingency and exigency are roughly equivalent. However, contingency implies an emergency or exigency that is regarded as possible but uncertain of occurrence.

contingency plans

In what contexts can crisis take the place of exigency?

While in some cases nearly identical to exigency, crisis applies to a juncture whose outcome will make a decisive difference.

a crisis of confidence

When is emergency a more appropriate choice than exigency?

Although the words emergency and exigency have much in common, emergency applies to a sudden unforeseen situation requiring prompt action to avoid disaster.

the presence of mind needed to deal with emergencies

Where would juncture be a reasonable alternative to exigency?

The words juncture and exigency are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, juncture stresses the significant concurrence or convergence of events.

an important juncture in our country's history

How is pinch related to other words for exigency?

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

come through in a pinch

How are the words strait and straits related as synonyms of exigency?

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

in dire straits

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of exigency However likely the Government’s success on the merits may be, in my view, emergency relief is not appropriate because the applicant has failed to demonstrate sufficient exigency to justify our intervention. Jay Adkisson, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025 Declarations of financial exigency, mergers and outright closures are also likely to increase. Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes, 1 Jan. 2025 Financial woes at other colleges became so severe they were forced to declare financial exigency or close entirely. Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes, 8 Dec. 2024 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 See All Example Sentences for exigency
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exigency
Noun
  • President Donald Trump has highlighted fentanyl overdoses as a public health crisis and national emergency, and repeatedly criticized both Canada and Mexico for not doing enough to stop cross-border drug sales to American consumers.
    Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 15 May 2025
  • Zuckerberg accurately diagnoses our crisis of isolation.
    Kim Samuel, Time, 14 May 2025
Noun
  • The report did not delve into the critical delays in electronic emergency alerts sent to areas of Altadena.
    Jenny Jarvie, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2025
  • But others have noted that the bans could impact safety and not allow students to communicate on their phones in an emergency, such as during a school shooting.
    Khaleda Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Exigency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exigency. Accessed 21 May. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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