exigent

Pronunciation: adjective. Synonyms: pressing, dire, acute

adjective

Difficulty: intermediate

Definition of exigent

Requiring immediate attention or swift action due to urgency or critical importance.

Origin of exigent

Language of origin: Latin

Root word: exigere

Original meaning: to demand, require, or drive out

How it evolved: Originally used to describe things that demanded action, the word later took on broader meanings of urgency and critical necessity.

The word 'exigent' traces back to the Latin 'exigere,' meaning 'to demand or require,' evolving through Old French to capture the sense of urgency or crucial necessity.

First known use: 15th century

How to Remember exigent

Think of 'exit urgently': when something is exigent, it demands you to act or 'exit' at once without delay.

Synonyms for exigent

Antonyms of exigent

exigent in a Sentence

  1. The exigent demands of the emergency left the team no choice but to respond immediately despite the risks involved.
  2. During the exigent negotiations, every second counted as the parties raced to avoid a major diplomatic crisis.
  3. The doctor faced an exigent situation in the ER, where multiple patients required simultaneous life-saving interventions.

exigent in Literature & Culture

Exigent has appeared in political speeches, literature, and legal contexts to emphasize the importance of timely action in moments of crisis or critical decision-making.

Usage Notes

Exigent is often used in formal or high-stakes contexts, such as legal documents, emergency planning, or critical negotiations. It conveys a sense of urgency tied to importance, not just haste.

Why exigent Matters for GRE & SAT

Exigent is frequently tested because it represents a sophisticated word for urgency, often appearing in reading comprehension passages describing critical situations or decisions.

Word Family

exigency (noun)
A situation or condition that requires immediate action or attention.
exigeant (adjective)
Demanding or exacting.
exigently (adverb)
In a manner that is urgent or requires immediate attention.

Did You Know?

  • The concept of exigency is a cornerstone in legal language, often used to describe situations that justify immediate action without following standard procedures.
  • Shakespeare used similar forms of 'exigent' in his plays, emphasizing urgency in dramatic contexts.
  • Exigent is sometimes confused with 'existential,' though they have entirely different meanings.
  • imperative
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  • eccentric — deviating from conventional behavior; quirky
  • echelon — a level or tier within a system or organization
  • eclectic — Deriving ideas or style from a broad and diverse range of sources
  • eclipse — overshadow or surpass

More Vocabulary Words Starting with E

  • ebullient — cheerful and joyful
  • ebullient — cheerful and joyful
  • eccentric — deviating from conventional behavior; quirky
  • eccentric — deviating from conventional behavior; quirky
  • echelon — a level or tier within a system or organization
  • echelon — a level or tier within a system or organization
  • eclectic — Deriving ideas or style from a broad and diverse range of sources
  • eclectic — derived from a diverse range of sources or styles
  • eclectic — derived from a diverse range of sources or styles
  • eclipse — overshadow or surpass