expedient

[ ik-spee-dee-uhnt ]

adjective

1. tending to promote some proposed or desired object; fit or suitable for the purpose; proper under the circumstances:

   It is expedient that you go.

   Synonyms: profitable, advantageous, desirable, appropriate, advisable

   Antonyms: disadvantageous

2. conducive to advantage or interest, as opposed to right.
3. acting in accordance with expediency, or what is advantageous.

noun

1. a means to an end:

   The ladder was a useful expedient for getting to the second floor.

2. a means devised or employed in an exigency; resource; shift:

   Use any expedients you think necessary to get over the obstacles in your way.

   Synonyms: resort, contrivance, device

expedient

/ ɪkˈspiːdɪənt /

adjective

1. suitable to the circumstances; appropriate
2. inclined towards methods or means that are advantageous rather than fair or just

noun

1. something suitable or appropriate, esp something used during an urgent situation

Derived Forms

• exˈpediently, adverb

Other Words From

• ex·pedi·ent·ly adverb
• nonex·pedi·ent adjective
• nonex·pedi·ent·ly adverb
• quasi-ex·pedi·ent adjective
• quasi-ex·pedi·ent·ly adverb
• unex·pedi·ent adjective
• unex·pedi·ent·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of expedient¹

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin expedient- (stem of expediēns ), present participle of expedīre. See expedite, -ent

Word History and Origins

Origin of expedient¹

C14: from Latin expediēns setting free; see expedite

Example Sentences

We might call them the expedient and the economic.

From BBC

The expedient is to search for places where you can raise money with a minimum of squealing.

From BBC

Her and Daryl’s paths run parallel until about midway through the six-episode season, which is blessedly expedient as such stories go.

From Salon

I file all this under “well-intentioned and legally expedient,” but it was too antiseptic to satiate a growing need for collective frameworks to make sense and seek purpose in an increasingly complicated world.

From Slate

Ceding the Democratic nomination to Harris is the quickest and most expedient move for the party, given the limited time before the Aug. 19 start of its nominating convention and the short window to the Nov. 5 election.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• ad hoc
• advantageous
• desirable
• feasible
• judicious
• opportune
• practicable
• practical
• pragmatic
• prudent