exigent

American  

[ek-si-juhnt] / ˈɛk sɪ dʒənt /

adjective

1. requiring immediate action or aid; urgent; pressing.

2. requiring a great deal, or more than is reasonable.

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exigent British  

/ ˈɛksɪdʒənt /

adjective

1. urgent; pressing

2. exacting; demanding

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Other Word Forms

• exigently adverb
• nonexigent adjective
• nonexigently adverb
• unexigent adjective
• unexigently adverb

Etymology

Origin of exigent

1400–50; late Middle English < Latin exigent- (stem of exigēns ) (present participle of exigere to drive out, demand), equivalent to ex- ex- ¹ + -ig- (combining form of agere to drive) + -ent- -ent

Explanation

When you describe something as exigent, you are saying it requires attention: it can't be ignored. Exigent, which means "demanding attention," comes from the Latin for "driving out." If there's a runaway train driving straight at you, that's an exigent situation — not a good time to stop and write a poem. When circumstances become exigent, it's time to act. When exigent questions arise, an answer is necessary. You can also use exigent for a person who demands attention, usually by complaining. If you've ever worked as a waiter, you've surely dealt with an exigent customer.

Example Sentences

That may happen as he gains more experience with Beethoven’s most exigent score.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 24, 2026

Under best practices for policing, officers are never to shoot into moving vehicles except in exigent circumstances, and are trained to avoid placing themselves in harm’s way.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 28, 2026

There are a few, such as consent searches and exigent circumstances where someone is in danger or evidence is about to be destroyed.

From Salon • Jan. 23, 2026

“Some people don’t want to have to get a long-term place,” she says, and signing a lease doesn’t allow any wiggle room for exigent circumstances.

From Salon • Aug. 18, 2025

And each time I was about to call an end to the chaos, I got sidetracked by exigent cries of “R-and-W, center gate!”

From "Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing" by Ted Conover