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Synonyms

expediency

American  
[ik-spee-dee-uhn-see] / ɪkˈspi di ən si /
Also expedience

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 British  
/ 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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • nonexpedience noun
  • nonexpediency noun

Etymology

Origin of expediency

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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

From The Wall Street Journal

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

From BBC

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

From 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.

From Salon

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

From Salon