exigency

/ˈeksɪdʒənsi/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈeksɪdʒənsi/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈek-sə-jən(t)-sē ˈeg-zə-jən(t)- ig-ˈzi-jən(t)-/ (ame, mw)

exigency — noun

  • exigencysingular
  • exigenciesplural

1. a pressing need or hard demand that a situation forces on you, leaving little ti

1.名詞C2
釋義

a pressing need or hard demand that a situation forces on you, leaving little time or freedom to choose how to respond — often used in the plural to describe the harsh practical demands of war, office, illness, or business.

例句

The exigencies of war forced Joaquín to leave medical school for the field hospital.

fixed phrase: the exigencies of [war / office / life]

Hospital staff had to adapt quickly to the exigencies of the flu outbreak last winter.

plural form describing demanding circumstances

同義詞
  • urgency

    more common and neutral; covers feelings as well as situations

  • emergency

    concrete sudden crisis; everyday register, unlike formal 'exigency'

  • demand

    broader; not necessarily urgent, often used in negotiation contexts

  • imperative

    formal; stresses moral or logical necessity rather than time pressure

反義詞
  • ease

    freedom from pressure or hardship

  • luxury

    comfort and free choice rather than forced action

文法句型

the exigencies of [noun]

exigency of the moment

用法筆記

Almost always formal or literary; in everyday English speakers prefer 'urgent need', 'pressure', or 'emergency'. Frequently plural with 'the exigencies of [war / office / life / the situation]'.

常見錯誤

❌There is an exigency in the kitchen — the tap is leaking.
✅There is an emergency in the kitchen
💡the tap is leaking.' — 'exigency' is too formal and abstract for an everyday household problem; use 'emergency' for concrete incidents.
❌She felt the exigent of the situation.
✅She felt the exigency of the situation.
💡'exigent' is the adjective form; the noun is 'exigency'.