expediency

noun

ex·​pe·​di·​en·​cy ik-ˈspē-dē-ən(t)-sē 

plural expediencies

1

: the quality or state of being suited to the end in view : suitability, fitness

2

obsolete

a

: haste, dispatch

b

: an enterprise requiring haste or caution

3

: adherence to expedient means and methods

put more emphasis on expediency than on principle

—W. H. Jones

4

: a means of achieving a particular end : expedient

expediential

ik-ˌspē-dē-ˈen-chəl 

adjective

Synonyms

• advisability
• advisableness
• desirability
• desirableness
• expedience
• judiciousness
• prudence
• wisdom

Examples of expediency in a Sentence

the expediency of such a plan is questionable

Recent Examples on the Web

Rather than being viewed as a competitive threat, AI and machine learning can and should be used as tools to gain efficiency and expediency. —Ulrik Juul Christensen, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025

Everything is done in the interest of political expediency and what looks good on paper. —Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 29 Apr. 2025

In Caruso, voters saw a former Republican, and an antiabortion one at that, who had switched his party affiliation for naked political expediency. —Robert Petkoff Krish Seenivasan Quinton Kamara, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025

Create clear, consistent guidelines for public participation that prioritize citizen engagement over procedural expediency. —Josue Sierra, Baltimore Sun, 12 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

expediency

noun

ex·​pe·​di·​en·​cy ik-ˈspēd-ē-ən-sē 

plural expediencies

: the use of expedient means and methods