exigency

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

/ ˈɛk sɪ dʒən si, ɪgˈzɪdʒ ən- /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR exigency ON THESAURUS.COM

noun, plural ex·i·gen·cies.

exigent state or character; urgency.

Usually exigencies. the need, demand, or requirement intrinsic to a circumstance, condition, etc.: the exigencies of city life.

a case or situation that demands prompt action or remedy; emergency: He promised help in any exigency.

Nearby words

exhortation, exhortative, exhumation, exhume, exigeant, exigencies, exigent, exigently, exigible, exiguity, exiguous

Also ex·i·gence.

Origin of exigency

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

SYNONYMS FOR exigency

3 crisis, contingency, plight, strait; predicament, fix, pinch.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR exigency ON THESAURUS.COM

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for exigencies

I think we handled it as well as we could have, given the exigencies of production.
‘Archer’ Creator Adam Reed Spills Season 6 Secrets, From Surreal Plotlines to Life Post-ISIS|Marlow Stern|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Not a country, but a house in London, where the exigencies of living together creates its own brand of tension?
This Week’s Hot Reads: August 26, 2013|Cameron Martin, Thomas Flynn|August 26, 2013|DAILY BEAST
But the exigencies of making ends meet prompted him to make some questionable financial decisions.
This Week’s Hot Reads: July 22, 2013|Cameron Martin|July 22, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The exigencies of the political calendar have a tendency to wreck even the best-laid plans.
The Debt Crisis Comes Home|David A. Graham|July 30, 2011|DAILY BEAST

The exigencies of the solar system may make it impossible for the sun to be always there, but it should be around when wanted.
Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 156, April 30, 1919|Various
He warily sounded a nature that could be warped to the exigencies of any plan, provided it was profitable.
Sons of the Soil|Honore de Balzac
For the moment he was absorbed by two exigencies and by two ecstasies—food and warmth.
The Man Who Laughs|Victor Hugo
Depots of supplies were moved from place to place as exigencies demanded.
The Red Cross in Peace and War|Clara Barton
Claudia was equal to the exigencies of her time and country.
The Valleys of Tirol|R. H. Busk

British Dictionary definitions for exigencies

exigency

exigence (ˈɛksɪdʒəns)

/ (ˈɛksɪdʒənsɪ, ɪɡˈzɪdʒənsɪ) /

noun plural -gencies or -gences

the state of being exigent; urgency

(often plural) an urgent demand; pressing requirement

an emergency

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for exigencies

exigency

1580s, from Middle French exigence, from Latin exigentia "urgency," from exigentem (nominative exigens), from exigere "to demand, require; drive out" (see exact (v.)). Related: Exigencies (1650s).

exigency

noun, plural ex·i·gen·cies.

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of exigency

Examples from the Web for exigencies

British Dictionary definitions for exigencies

exigency

exigence (ˈɛksɪdʒəns)

noun plural -gencies or -gences

Word Origin and History for exigencies

exigency