expediency

noun

ex·​pe·​di·​en·​cy ik-ˈspē-dē-ən(t)-sē How to pronounce expediency (audio)
plural expediencies
1
: the quality or state of being suited to the end in view : suitability, fitness
2
obsolete
b
: an enterprise requiring haste or caution
3
: adherence to expedient means and methods
put more emphasis on expediency than on principleW. H. Jones
4
: a means of achieving a particular end : expedient
expediential adjective

Examples of expediency in a Sentence

the expediency of such a plan is questionable
Recent Examples on the Web But your husband and mother-in-law are both choosing expediency all the way to misery. Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 11 Feb. 2024 Yet an ethos of pure expediency is fraught with dangers, from domestic disillusion to the loss of the moral asymmetry that has long amplified U.S. influence in global affairs. Hal Brands, Foreign Affairs, 20 Feb. 2024 The issues of corruption, race and political expediency — these things are going to take some time. Garret K. Woodward, SPIN, 3 Feb. 2024 Tweed provided generously for the Irish and other immigrants, not out of altruism but political expediency. Madeleine Kearns, National Review, 14 Jan. 2024 In reality, the state of the state is neglected, having been sacrificed on the altar of political expediency through a series of culture-war sideshows — attacks on academic freedom, school books, transgender teens and LGBTQ people in general. Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 9 Jan. 2024 Democracy can become buried under the rubble of centuries-old political deal-making and long-ago compromises of expediency that had only been intended to solve the impasses of those moments in time. Ronn Pineo, Baltimore Sun, 2 Jan. 2024 Over the course of his long public life, Netanyahu has survived scandals that would sink most politicians, and has casually discarded longtime alliances when expediency beckoned. Laura King, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2023 But without the information, resources and support to succeed – or when there is a lot of negative stress in employees’ work environments – people seem to switch to an expediency mindset whereby anything goes. Tobias Dennerlein, The Conversation, 8 Sep. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'expediency.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of expediency was in 1597

Dictionary Entries Near expediency

Cite this Entry

“Expediency.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/expediency. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

expediency

noun
ex·​pe·​di·​en·​cy ik-ˈspēd-ē-ən-sē How to pronounce expediency (audio)
plural expediencies
: the use of expedient means and methods

More from Merriam-Webster on expediency

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