Synonyms of exigent

exigent

adjective

ˈek-sə-jənt 

as in urgent

needing immediate attention

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• urgent
• acute
• dire
• emergent
• pressing
• intense
• compelling
• critical
• imperative
• importunate
• desperate
• imperious
• clamant
• crying
• instant
• serious
• immediate
• extreme
• necessitous
• insistent
• burning
• demanding
• overriding
• dangerous
• crucial
• hazardous
• life-and-death
• severe
• perilous
• precarious
• explosive
• unstable
• vital
• grave

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• minor
• incidental
• trivial
• unimportant
• negligible
• nonurgent
• noncritical
• stable
• low-pressure
• safe
• nonthreatening

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of exigent

At that time, investigators believed Athena could still be alive, and the initial search was conducted under exigent circumstances, without a warrant, only to look for the girl, Sherman said. — Amy McDaniel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Apr. 2026

The policy also prohibits officers from detaining someone with an administrative warrant at a place of worship, hospital or school unless exigent circumstances require immediate intervention to protect public safety. — Austin Sanders, Austin American Statesman, 5 Mar. 2026

Several Minnesota school districts filed a federal lawsuit in US District Court on Wednesday seeking to block immigration enforcement operations at or near schools and bus stops without a judicial warrant or exigent circumstances. — Hanna Park, CNN Money, 5 Feb. 2026

But lawmakers usually do so only under exigent circumstances, such as a court order. — David M. Drucker, Washington Post, 5 Feb. 2026

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!