expedient
Americanadjective
-
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
-
conducive to advantage or interest, as opposed to right.
-
acting in accordance with expediency, or what is advantageous.
noun
-
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.
- Synonyms:
- resort, contrivance, device
adjective
-
suitable to the circumstances; appropriate
-
inclined towards methods or means that are advantageous rather than fair or just
noun
Other Word Forms
- expediently adverb
- nonexpedient adjective
- nonexpediently adverb
- quasi-expedient adjective
- quasi-expediently adverb
- unexpedient adjective
- unexpediently adverb
Etymology
Origin of expedient
1350–1400; Middle English < Latin expedient- (stem of expediēns ), present participle of expedīre. See expedite, -ent
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.
"If we set aside the rules when we deem expedient, why can't our adversaries?"
From Barron's • Apr. 2, 2026
People will readily share their data — even when it comes to their health — for things they value, like better service, cheaper prices, and expedient convenience.
From MarketWatch • Jan. 21, 2026
This provided a “logical and most expedient opportunity” to get more info on what documents existed and pave the way for a consent search.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 18, 2025
Council officers considered whether enforcement action should have been taken, but recommended "it would not be expedient for the council to take any formal enforcement action against the event organiser", calling the breach "minor".
From BBC • Jul. 25, 2025
It was now packed inside the beaded bag, which, Harry was impressed to learn, Hermione had protected from the Snatchers by the simple expedient of stuffing it down her sock.
From "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" by J.K. Rowling
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
