Expediently: meaning, definitions and examples

Etymology

• The word comes from the Latin 'expedire', meaning 'to free from difficulty'.
• The prefix 'ex-' means 'out of', and 'ped' relates to 'foot', suggesting a quick way to get moving.
• It has been used in English since the early 17th century, originally in contexts of achieving results efficiently.

Business

• In the business world, making decisions expediently can lead to faster results and improved project timelines.
• Companies often emphasize expediently completing tasks to stay competitive in a fast-paced market.
• Using technology has made it easier to act expediently with tools that streamline communication and processes.

Psychology

• People often make expedient decisions when under time pressure, sometimes leading to suboptimal outcomes.
• Research shows that stress can impact our ability to think critically and lead us to choose quicker, less thorough options.
• The 'satisficing' decision-making strategy is about choosing the first satisfactory solution instead of the best one.

Legal

• In legal contexts, decisions made expediently may prioritize speed over thoroughness, which can lead to challenges in fairness.
• Judges sometimes have to act expediently to ensure justice is served in a timely manner, especially in urgent cases.
• The term often appears in discussions about balancing expediency with due process.

Literature

• In literature, characters may act expediently when they face urgent dilemmas, showcasing conflict between ethics and survival.
• Expedient actions often influence plot outcomes, leading to dramatic turns when characters choose immediate benefits over long-term consequences.
• Authors frequently explore the merits and pitfalls of expedient choices in their narratives, reflecting on moral complexities.

Ranking #37,307, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.

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• 37306 abominate
• 37307 expediently
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• 37310 ogled
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