Expedient: meaning, definitions and examples
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expedient
[ ɪkˈspiːdiənt ]
in decision making
Convenient and practical, although possibly improper or immoral.
Synonyms
advantageous, beneficial, practical, suitable, useful
Examples of usage
- It might be expedient to overlook this error for the sake of efficiency.
- The decision was made on expedient grounds rather than ethical ones.
in politics
A means to an end, especially one that is convenient but considered improper or immoral.
Synonyms
maneuver, ploy, scheme, tactic
Examples of usage
- The politician used various expedients to gain more votes.
- The proposed solution was seen as a political expedient rather than a principled one.
Translations
Translations of the word "expedient" in other languages:
🇵🇹 expediente
🇮🇳 उपयुक्त
🇩🇪 zweckmäßig
🇮🇩 tepat guna
🇺🇦 доцільний
🇵🇱 celowy
🇯🇵 便宜的な (ben'iteki na)
🇫🇷 expédient
🇪🇸 expediente
🇹🇷 uygun
🇰🇷 편리한 (pyeonrihan)
🇸🇦 مناسب
🇨🇿 účelný
🇸🇰 účelný
🇨🇳 权宜之计 (quányí zhī jì)
🇸🇮 prikladen
🇮🇸 hentugur
🇰🇿 қолайлы
🇬🇪 შესაფერისი
🇦🇿 məqsədəuyğun
🇲🇽 expediente
Etymology
The word 'expedient' originated from the Latin word 'expediens', which means 'advantageous'. Over time, it evolved to encompass the idea of being practical and convenient, even if it may not be entirely moral or ethical. The concept of expedience has been prevalent in decision-making processes throughout history, especially in politics and governance, where the focus may shift from principles to practicality. The word continues to be used in contemporary language to describe actions or solutions that prioritize convenience and efficiency over ethical considerations.