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

For those who have held reservations about Trump's relationship with evangelical voters, the draft represents an act of political expediency at best. —Phillip M. Bailey, USA TODAY, 9 July 2024

There are folks across the country sounding alarms, for political expediency, that are frankly unjustified. —Laura Gersony, The Arizona Republic, 9 July 2024

The good news is that Rubio’s Ukraine vote appears to have been merely an act of contemptible political expediency rather than a conversion to isolationism. —Max Boot, Washington Post, 5 July 2024

In this election, Starmer has elevated political expediency to a point of high principle. —Sam Knight, The New Yorker, 29 June 2024

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