Thesaurus results for EXIGENCY

Q: How does the noun 'exigency' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of exigency are contingency , crisis , emergency , juncture , pinch , straits , and strait . While all these words mean "a critical or crucial time or state of affairs," exigency stresses the pressure of restrictions or urgency of demands created by a special situation. // provide for exigencies

Q: When can 'contingency' be used instead of 'exigency'?

In some situations, the words contingency and exigency are roughly equivalent. However, contingency implies an emergency or exigency that is regarded as possible but uncertain of occurrence. // contingency plans

Q: In what contexts can 'crisis' take the place of 'exigency'?

While in some cases nearly identical to exigency , crisis applies to a juncture whose outcome will make a decisive difference. // a crisis of confidence

Q: When is 'emergency' a more appropriate choice than 'exigency'?

Although the words emergency and exigency have much in common, emergency applies to a sudden unforeseen situation requiring prompt action to avoid disaster. // the presence of mind needed to deal with emergencies

Q: Where would 'juncture' be a reasonable alternative to 'exigency'?

The words juncture and exigency are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, juncture stresses the significant concurrence or convergence of events. // an important juncture in our country's history

Q: How is 'pinch' related to other words for 'exigency'?

Pinch implies urgency or pressure for action to a less intense degree than exigency or emergency . // come through in a pinch

Q: How are the words 'strait' and 'straits' related as synonyms of 'exigency'?

Strait , now commonly straits , applies to a troublesome situation from which escape is extremely difficult. // in dire straits

exigency

noun

ˈek-sə-jən(t)-sē

Definition of exigency next

as in crisis

a time or state of affairs requiring prompt or decisive action the exigencies requiring snap decisions that traders on the stock exchange face every day

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How does the noun exigency differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of exigency are contingency, crisis, emergency, juncture, pinch, straits, and strait. While all these words mean "a critical or crucial time or state of affairs," exigency stresses the pressure of restrictions or urgency of demands created by a special situation.

provide for exigencies

When can contingency be used instead of exigency?

In some situations, the words contingency and exigency are roughly equivalent. However, contingency implies an emergency or exigency that is regarded as possible but uncertain of occurrence.

contingency plans

In what contexts can crisis take the place of exigency?

While in some cases nearly identical to exigency, crisis applies to a juncture whose outcome will make a decisive difference.

a crisis of confidence

When is emergency a more appropriate choice than exigency?

Although the words emergency and exigency have much in common, emergency applies to a sudden unforeseen situation requiring prompt action to avoid disaster.

the presence of mind needed to deal with emergencies

Where would juncture be a reasonable alternative to exigency?

The words juncture and exigency are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, juncture stresses the significant concurrence or convergence of events.

an important juncture in our country's history

How is pinch related to other words for exigency?

Pinch implies urgency or pressure for action to a less intense degree than exigency or emergency.

come through in a pinch

How are the words strait and straits related as synonyms of exigency?

Strait, now commonly straits, applies to a troublesome situation from which escape is extremely difficult.

in dire straits

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of exigency The bill would declare a state of financial exigency for five years, or until the university’s finances are stable. —

Kathryn Muchnick, Louisville Courier Journal, 26 Mar. 2026 It will be encumbered neither by norms nor the exigencies that compel speech in a democratic society. —

Casey Ryan Kelly, The Conversation, 9 Mar. 2026 You logical minds cannot understand the exigencies of art. —

Literary Hub, 26 Feb. 2026 Even amid wartime exigencies, Ukrainians maintain a robust insistence on the rule of law. —

The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 21 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for exigency

Recent Examples of Synonyms for exigency

Noun

There was an honesty crisis that happened about twenty years ago, though, when the internet came along.

— Fiction Non Fiction, Literary Hub, 21 May 2026
The 2008 financial crisis was brutal and, most observers believe, largely preventable.

— Andrea Riquier, USA Today, 20 May 2026

Definition of crisis

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exigencies

exigency

exigent

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“Exigency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exigency. Accessed 21 May. 2026.

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Synonyms of exigency

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