expedient
7 synonyms and 1 antonym for expedient, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Convenient and practical for achieving a goal, though not necessarily right or moral.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
inexpedient
How to use expedient
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
politically expedient
an expedient solution
Etymology
From Latin expediens, "advantageous," from expedire, "to make ready, be useful," from ex- ("out") plus pes ("foot") — the underlying image is of freeing the feet to move.
Full origin of expedient →Frequently asked questions
What does “expedient” mean?
The word “expedient” means convenient and practical for achieving a goal, though not necessarily right or moral. In plain terms, something that's convenient and gets quick results, even if it isn't the most honest or ideal choice.
How do you pronounce “expedient”?
“Expedient” is pronounced ihk-SPEE-dee-uhnt (/ɪkˈspiːdi.ənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “expedient” in a sentence?
Here is “expedient” used in a sentence: “It was politically expedient to avoid the issue before the election.”
What is another word for “expedient”?
Words with a similar meaning to “expedient” include advisable, desirable, judicious, politic, prudent and tactical.
What part of speech is “expedient”?
Depending on how it is used, “expedient” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “expedient” come from?
The word “expedient” comes from Latin. From Latin expediens, "advantageous," from expedire, "to make ready, be useful," from ex- ("out") plus pes ("foot") — the underlying image is of freeing the feet to move.
How many meanings does “expedient” have?
“Expedient” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: convenient and practical for achieving a goal, though not necessarily right or moral.
