Exigency vs. Emergency — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on November 2, 2023
Exigency is an urgent need or demand, while emergency is a serious, unexpected situation requiring immediate action.
Difference Between Exigency and Emergency
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Exigency refers to a pressing necessity or a demand that requires immediate attention but is not necessarily a crisis. It implies urgency and often necessitates a response, but the term itself does not intrinsically signify danger or threat. Emergency, however, denotes a situation that poses an immediate risk to health, life, property, or environment, requiring urgent intervention.
The term "exigency" often relates to situations that demand prompt action due to external pressures or requirements, like a deadline or a critical need in a business setting. On the other hand, "emergency" describes scenarios of acute danger or unexpected events that could result in harm if not addressed quickly, such as a natural disaster or a medical situation.
Exigency can arise in various contexts, such as personal, legal, or professional, and while it calls for quick action, it might not entail the severity of an emergency. An emergency is a subset of exigencies that are particularly grave and carry a sense of life-threatening urgency that requires immediate and decisive action.
In legal contexts, exigency is a circumstance that makes it necessary to act immediately, like the exigency to preserve evidence. Conversely, an emergency in legal terms may lead to the invocation of powers that would not be available under normal circumstances, such as declaring a state of emergency.
Both exigency and emergency require prompt attention, but the level of severity and the stakes involved typically differentiate the two. An exigency may lead to an emergency if it's not addressed, whereas an emergency is already a situation that has escalated to a critical point.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
An urgent need or demand.
A serious, unexpected, and often dangerous situation requiring immediate action.
Severity
High urgency, but varies in severity.
Typically high severity, involving potential danger.
Context
Can be personal, legal, professional.
Often involves health, safety, or environmental risk.
Response Required
Immediate action due to urgency.
Immediate action due to potential harm.
Examples
Deadline pressure, resource shortages.
Natural disasters, medical crises.
Compare with Definitions
Exigency
An emergency situation or pressing need in a legal context.
The court recognized the exigency of the case and expedited the trial.
Emergency
A condition of urgent need for assistance or relief.
The food shortage in the region has become an emergency.
Exigency
A pressing or critical situation.
Due to the exigency of the circumstances, the meeting was moved up by a week.
Emergency
A situation that poses an immediate risk to health, life, property, or environment.
During the emergency, first responders worked tirelessly to save lives.
Exigency
A situation that requires immediate attention or action.
The exigency of the missing report compelled the staff to work overtime.
Emergency
A serious, unexpected, and often dangerous situation requiring immediate action.
The emergency room was equipped to handle a variety of medical crises.
Exigency
The quality or state of being exigent; insistence.
His speech conveyed a sense of exigency about the environmental crisis.
Emergency
A state of being that requires urgent intervention.
The hurricane created a state of emergency in the coastal areas.
Exigency
An urgent need or demand.
The company faced the exigency of a capital infusion to continue operations.
Emergency
An unforeseen combination of circumstances that calls for immediate action.
The fire alarm indicated an emergency, and the building was evacuated.
Exigency
An urgent need or demand
Women worked long hours when the exigencies of the family economy demanded it
He put financial exigency before personal sentiment
Emergency
An emergency is a situation that poses an immediate risk to health, life, property, or environment. Most emergencies require urgent intervention to prevent a worsening of the situation, although in some situations, mitigation may not be possible and agencies may only be able to offer palliative care for the aftermath.
Exigency
A pressing or urgent situation
"We were caught in a wartime exigency that was beyond any humane, any rational, resistance" (John Kenneth Galbraith).
Emergency
A serious situation or occurrence that happens unexpectedly and demands immediate action.
Exigency
An urgent requirement; a pressing need
"distracted by the exigencies of running a business" (Richard Curtis).
Emergency
A condition of urgent need for action or assistance
A state of emergency.
Exigency
The demands or requirements of a situation.
Emergency
For use during emergencies
Emergency food rations.
Exigency
An urgent situation, one requiring extreme effort or attention.
Emergency
A situation which poses an immediate risk and which requires urgent attention.
Cardiac arrest is an emergency and if you find someone in cardiac arrest you should call 999 immediately.
Exigency
The state of being exigent; urgent or exacting want; pressing necessity or distress; need; a case demanding immediate action, supply, or remedy; as, an unforeseen exigency.
Emergency
The department of a hospital that treats emergencies.
Exigency
A pressing or urgent situation;
The health-care exigency
Emergency
An individual brought in at short notice to replace a member of staff, a player in a sporting team, etc.
Exigency
A sudden unforeseen crisis (usually involving danger) that requires immediate action;
He never knew what to do in an emergency
Emergency
Arising from or used in an emergency.
Emergency
(archaic) The quality of being emergent; sudden or unexpected appearance; an unforeseen occurrence.
Emergency
Sudden or unexpected appearance; an unforeseen occurrence; a sudden occasion.
Most our rarities have been found out by casual emergency.
Emergency
An unforeseen occurrence or combination of circumstances which calls for immediate action or remedy; pressing necessity; exigency.
To whom she might her doubts propose,On all emergencies that rose.
A safe counselor in most difficult emergencies.
Emergency
A sudden unforeseen crisis (usually involving danger) that requires immediate action;
He never knew what to do in an emergency
Emergency
A state in which martial law applies;
The governor declared a state of emergency
Emergency
A brake operated by hand; usually operates by mechanical linkage
Common Curiosities
Is an exigency the same as an emergency?
No, an exigency is an urgent need or demand, which may not be as severe as an emergency.
What is an example of an exigency?
An unexpected deadline or a sudden need for resources can be an exigency.
What are common situations classified as emergencies?
Natural disasters, severe medical conditions, or fires are common emergencies.
Is urgency a component of both exigency and emergency?
Yes, both terms imply a situation that requires prompt action.
Do all exigencies become emergencies if not addressed?
Not all, but some exigencies can escalate to emergencies if ignored.
Is "emergency" used more often in medical contexts than "exigency"?
Yes, "emergency" is commonly used in medical contexts to indicate serious situations requiring prompt care.
Can an exigency lead to an emergency?
Yes, if an exigent situation is not addressed, it may escalate into an emergency.
Are there specific professions that deal primarily with exigencies?
Yes, professions like event planners and project managers often deal with exigencies.
Are emergencies always dangerous?
Emergencies typically involve potential danger or immediate risks.
Can the term exigency refer to a positive situation?
Rarely, as it generally implies critical situations or pressing needs.
How does the response to an emergency differ from an exigency?
An emergency requires immediate and often life-saving action, while an exigency requires quick attention to avoid future complications.
Can an emergency be downgraded to an exigency?
Once an emergency is under control, it may be considered an exigency if there is still urgency, but the immediate danger has passed.
How should businesses prepare for exigencies and emergencies?
Businesses should have contingency plans for exigencies and emergency response plans for potential crises.
In legal terms, how is an exigency treated differently from an emergency?
An exigency in law can lead to expedited actions, while an emergency can invoke special powers or suspend normal operations.
Can both exigency and emergency be planned for?
One can plan for potential exigencies, but emergencies are often unpredictable despite planning.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
