exigency

[ ek-si-juhn-see, ig-zij-uhn- ]

noun

, plural ex·i·gen·cies.

1. exigent state or character; urgency.
2. Usually exigencies. the need, demand, or requirement intrinsic to a circumstance, condition, etc.:

   the exigencies of city life.

3. a case or situation that demands prompt action or remedy; emergency:

   He promised help in any exigency.

   Synonyms: pinch, fix, predicament, strait, plight, contingency, crisis

exigency

/ ɪɡˈzɪdʒənsɪ; ˈɛksɪdʒəns; ˈɛksɪdʒənsɪ /

noun

1. the state of being exigent; urgency
2. often plural an urgent demand; pressing requirement
3. an emergency

Word History and Origins

Origin of exigency¹

From the Medieval Latin word exigentia, dating back to 1575–85. See exigent, -ency

Example Sentences

So Newt & Co. attempt—in ways that mix childhood longings with political exigency—to speak the language of ESPN.

From The Daily Beast

These matters of political exigency were undoubtedly beyond the comprehension of the Ylongos.

From Project Gutenberg

She must have been conscious of depths of capacity, to which, whatever the exigency, appeal was never made in vain.

From Project Gutenberg

The exigency nerved me for the task, and I found a courage sufficient to carry me through.

From Project Gutenberg

The fiction that they do exist disappears at once in the clear atmosphere of "exigency."

From Project Gutenberg

But on this day, and in this extreme momentous exigency, no reliance is reposed on our constitutional counsels!

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• contingency
• vicissitude