SYNONYMS AND RELATED EXPRESSIONS
expedient
adjective
Useful or convenient for reaching an aim, though not always principled.
Local English device voice, when available. This is not a recorded dictionary pronunciation.
Useful for an immediate aim
Closest synonyms
Related words and expressions
These extend or explain the idea and may require a different sentence structure.
Usage distinction
Return to topExpedient can imply a convenient compromise whose ethics or long-term value are doubtful.
RELATED FORMS, ONE FEATURED ENTRY
The expedient family
These forms are closely related, but their grammar and use are not identical. Expand a form to compare its meaning and examples.
expediencynoun
The usefulness or convenience of an action for achieving an immediate aim.
Practical convenience
Closest synonyms
Related expressions
The decision favored expediency over careful long-term planning.
To inspect the possible location, the committee took a circuitous route around several closed paths in the park. One member suggested choosing the first available space purely for expediency, even if visitors would struggle to find it.
CHECK THE MEANING IN CONTEXT
See expedient in use
A temporary patch seemed expedient while a full repair was arranged.
An expedient decision to accept a rushed order would secure immediate supplies, but skipping the promised staff consultation would leave a fairness concern unresolved.
Compare an alternative with the original word in each passage. Shared meanings do not make every pair interchangeable.
Synonym reference scope and sources
The groups distinguish the senses selected for this study entry. Closest synonyms and broader related expressions have separate labels. The listed sources support lexical selection; not every phrase is a direct quotation from a source.
How the synonym reference was prepared / WordNet 3.0 license