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Expendable: meaning, definitions and examples

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expendable

 

[ ɪkˈspɛndəbəl ]

Adjective / Noun
Context #1 | Adjective

use in a sentence

Considered to be of little value and able to be sacrificed if necessary.

Synonyms

disposable, replaceable, sacrificial

Examples of usage

  • The soldiers were seen as expendable in the eyes of the general.
  • In a time of crisis, some resources may be deemed expendable for the greater good.
Context #2 | Noun

use in a sentence

A person or thing that is considered of little value and can be sacrificed if necessary.

Synonyms

casualty, pawn, sacrifice

Examples of usage

  • The intern felt like an expendable in the large corporation.
  • In war, soldiers are often treated as expendables by those in power.

Translations

Translations of the word "expendable" in other languages:

🇵🇹 descartável

🇮🇳 त्याग योग्य

🇩🇪 entbehrlich

🇮🇩 dapat dihabiskan

🇺🇦 витратний

🇵🇱 jednorazowy

🇯🇵 使い捨ての

🇫🇷 jetable

🇪🇸 desechable

🇹🇷 harcanabilir

🇰🇷 소모할 수 있는

🇸🇦 قابل للاستهلاك

🇨🇿 spotřební

🇸🇰 spotrebný

🇨🇳 可消耗的

🇸🇮 potrošni

🇮🇸 eyðanlegur

🇰🇿 шығындалатын

🇬🇪 ხარჯვადი

🇦🇿 istifadə olunan

🇲🇽 desechable

Etymology

The word 'expendable' originated from the Latin word 'expendere', which means 'to weigh out, to pay down'. It first appeared in the English language in the mid-16th century. Over time, 'expendable' has come to describe something or someone that is considered of little value and can be sacrificed if needed. The term gained popularity in the context of military operations and resource management.

See also: expending, expenditure, expenditures.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #22,607, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.