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
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
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.
This story has been updated to clarify what financial exigency would mean for Tennessee State University. Rachel Wegner, The Tennessean, 16 Dec. 2024 Many responded to the calls of their friends to write down their story; some were motivated by financial or political exigency; others saw a long-term money-making opportunity. Tim Brinkhof, JSTOR Daily, 11 Dec. 2024 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 The point there is that O’Brien is no stranger to the exigencies of pressure as felt at the Breeders’. Guy Martin, Forbes, 30 Oct. 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 29 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

plural exigencies
: a situation requiring immediate action

Legal Definition

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: - Updated example sentences
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