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

• expedience
• desirability
• feasibility
• advisability
• prudence
• judiciousness
• desirableness

Examples of expediency in a Sentence

the expediency of such a plan is questionable

Recent Examples on the Web

In the meantime, Chicago’s humanities professors appear largely determined to resist being evaluated in terms of expediency. —Tyler Austin Harper, The Atlantic, 26 Aug. 2025

Trade policy built on ad hoc decisions and political expediency doesn't deliver for the broader economy. —Devry Boughner Vorwerk, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Aug. 2025

All of these things, probably, but only in the sense that almost every politician is sometimes forced to sacrifice ideals for the sake of expediency. —Joseph Thorndike, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2025

The company swallowed the penalty in the name of regulatory expediency. —Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 31 July 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