Expendable: meaning, definitions and examples

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expendable

[ɪkˈspɛndəbəl ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

use in a sentence

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

Synonyms

disposable, replaceable, sacrificial.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
expendable	Used for something or someone that can be used up or sacrificed without too much loss. Often in a negative or neutral sense, especially to emphasize that something or someone is not very important in the grand scheme. In war, soldiers are often treated as expendable resources. The batteries in the remote are expendable, and we can replace them easily.
replaceable	Used for something that can easily be replaced or substituted with an identical or similar item, often implying that it is not unique or highly valuable. The broken part on your car is easily replaceable. His skills were replaceable, so it wasn't hard to find a new employee.
disposable	Used for items that are meant to be thrown away after a single use or a short period of use. Often used for consumer products and implies convenience. Disposable masks became very popular during the pandemic. We used disposable plates for the picnic so we wouldn't have to wash dishes.
sacrificial	Used for something that is given up or destroyed as a sacrifice, often to achieve a greater goal. This can have a solemn or serious tone. The ancient ritual involved a sacrificial offering. In business, there are sometimes sacrificial projects to focus on more important ones.

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.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
expendable	This term is used to describe something or someone that can be used up or consumed and then replaced. It often implies something or someone not considered essential or crucial. They considered some supplies as expendable during the mission. In war, some soldiers are viewed as expendable by their superiors.
sacrifice	This term is used when something valuable is given up, usually for the sake of something else or for a greater good. It implies a voluntary act of giving up something important. He made the ultimate sacrifice by giving his life for his country. Parents often sacrifice a lot for their children’s futures.
casualty	This term is typically used to refer to someone who is injured, killed, or otherwise adversely affected during an event such as a war, accident, or disaster. The term often carries a somber, serious tone. The earthquake resulted in numerous casualties. He was the first casualty of the battle.
pawn	This term often refers to someone who is being used or manipulated by others, usually in a negative sense. It can also refer to a chess piece of low value. She felt like a pawn in their political game. In chess, pawns are usually the first pieces to be moved.

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.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word originated from the Latin 'expendere', which means to weigh out or spend.
It appeared in English around the early 20th century, primarily in military contexts.
The root 'pendere' means 'to hang', reflecting the idea of weighing options before using something.

Military Context

In the military, expendable items often refer to weapons or supplies that are used in combat and not expected to be recovered.
Troops can also be described as expendable if they are viewed as being easily replaced.
The concept of expendability raises ethical questions about the value of human life in warfare.

Film and Media

Expendable is famously associated with action films like 'The Expendables', which features characters that are tough but often face dangerous situations.
The term has become a cultural reference for heroes who take big risks and are often ready to sacrifice themselves.
Many movies and TV shows play with the notion of expendable side characters who may not survive the plot.

Economics

In business, expendable resources are those assets that can be sacrificed without significant loss.
Companies often focus on optimizing expendable costs to improve profitability.
Examples include materials or personnel that can be scaled up or down based on demand.

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

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.

...
22604 brightening
22605 brag
22606 viva
22607 expendable
22608 squint
22609 inverting
22610 tempera
...