expediency

Also ex·pe·di·ence

[ik-spee-dee-uhn-see]

noun

plural

expediencies 

1. the quality of being expedient; advantageousness; advisability.

2. a regard for what is politic or advantageous rather than for what is right or just; a sense of self-interest.

3. something expedient.

expediency

/ ɪkˈspiːdɪənsɪ /

noun

1. appropriateness; suitability

2. the use of or inclination towards methods that are advantageous rather than fair or just

3. another word for expedient

Other Word Forms

• nonexpedience noun
• nonexpediency noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of expediency¹

From the Late Latin word expedientia, dating back to 1605–15. See expedient, -ency

Example Sentences

For expediency’s sake, Witkoff narrowed the 21 points down to about 10 main ideas without delving too deeply into specifics.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Be it political expediency or a genuine change of heart, both have since revised their opinions.

Read more on BBC

As such, the government in Kuala Lumpur may have little choice but to sacrifice domestic approval to economic expediency.

Read more on Salon

The first “Simple Favor” was already a dishy delight — and if that summary intrigues you, it’s worth a watch to take in all of the preposterous twists and turns I’ve left out for expediency.

Read more on Salon

However, Jacobs and Roach refuse to sacrifice Violet’s character for the film’s expediency.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• practicality