expedient
ik-SPEE-dee-unt
/ɪkˈspiː.di.ənt/
Convenient and practical, although possibly improper or immoral; a means to an end.
Often carries a subtle connotation of moral compromise for political or practical advantage.
The story behind the word. From Latin 'expedire' meaning 'to free the feet from fetters'. Literally, to untangle one's feet so one can move forward quickly, evolving into doing what is convenient.
Word relationships
- advantageous: Advantageous focuses purely on benefit without necessarily implying moral compromise.
- inexpedient: Not suitable or advisable under current circumstances.
- principled: Based on moral rules rather than self-interested convenience.
Commonly confused with
- expeditious: Expeditious means fast and efficient; expedient means convenient, sometimes morally questionable.
Word family
- expediency (noun): The quality of being convenient or practical despite moral considerations.
- expedite (verb): To make an action or process happen sooner.
Collocations
- politically expedient
- expedient solution
- resort to an expedient
Example sentences
- "While the decision was politically expedient, it compromised long-term environmental integrity." Ethics
Memory hook
EXPEDIENT frees your feet to sprint to quick results, skipping rules. Free feet for quick convenience.
When not to use
Do not use as a simple synonym for 'good' or 'ethical'; it frequently implies self-interest.
Fun facts
- The opposite, 'impediment', literally means 'to entangle the feet'.
Related words
Explore more words
expeditious, realpolitik, convenience, machiavellian, propriety
Also appears in
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