What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
exigency
Example
The exigency of the situation required an immediate response. [exigency: noun]
Example
The company faced an exigency when their main supplier went bankrupt. [exigency: singular noun]
emergency
Example
The hospital declared a state of emergency due to the outbreak of a contagious disease. [emergency: noun]
Example
In case of an emergency, please dial 911. [emergency: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Emergency is more commonly used than exigency in everyday language, as it covers a wider range of situations and is more familiar to most people.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between exigency and emergency?
Both exigency and emergency can be used in formal and informal contexts, but exigency may sound more formal or technical due to its less common usage.