expedient [ik-spee -dee-uh nt]
Synonyms Examples Word Origin
See more synonyms for expedient on Thesaurus.com tending to promote some proposed or desired object; fit or suitable for the purpose; proper under the circumstances: It is expedient that you go. conducive to advantage or interest, as opposed to right. acting in accordance with expediency , or what is advantageous. Show More
a means to an end: The ladder was a useful expedient for getting to the second floor. a means devised or employed in an exigency; resource; shift: Use any expedients you think necessary to get over the obstacles in your way. Show More
Origin of expedient 1350–1400; Middle English <
Latin expedient- (stem of
expediēns ), present participle of
expedīre. See
expedite ,
-ent Related forms 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 Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words for expedient pragmatic ,
advantageous ,
desirable ,
feasible ,
practical ,
practicable ,
judicious ,
prudent ,
opportune ,
stratagem ,
wise ,
fit ,
possible ,
utilitarian ,
fitting ,
meet ,
maneuver ,
stopgap ,
recourse ,
means Examples from the Web for expedient Contemporary Examples of expedient It was the result of a chain of good decisions—wise, prudent, long-sighted, or, at the least, expedient choices.
Obama noted Thursday that both sides in the conflict blame the U.S., a popular and expedient political tactic in Egypt.
And because “it is very tempting to a minister to employ such an expedient …the practice will…be abused, in every government.”
That tape will prove far more persuasive than any expedient and mealy mouthed evasions.
It is not language framing a political vision; it is a campaign slogan serving an expedient purpose.
Historical Examples of expedient Captain Baker applied himself to this task, and used every expedient .
This expedient , however, nearly proved fatal in its consequences.
No need then of the expedient of pursuing your needleworks in her sight.
This: It is useless to talk or to think unless it is also possible and expedient to act.
For the expedient has to do with the future, about which we are liable to mistake.
British Dictionary definitions for expedient suitable to the circumstances; appropriate inclined towards methods or means that are advantageous rather than fair or just Show More
something suitable or appropriate, esp something used during an urgent situation Show More
Derived Forms expediently , adverb Word Origin for expedient C14: from Latin expediēns setting free; see expedite
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for expedient adj. late 14c., "advantageous, fit, proper," from Old French expedient (14c.) or directly from Latin expedientem (nominative expediens ) "beneficial," present participle of expedire "make fit or ready, prepare" (see expedite ).
The noun meaning "a device adopted in an exigency, a resource" is from 1650s. Related: Expediential (1836); expedientially (1873); expediently (late 14c.).
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
