expedients

noun

plural of expedient
1
as in makeshifts
a temporary replacement if you're a spectator caught without rainwear at a sporting event, then a plastic garbage bag makes an acceptable, if unfashionable, expedient

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in means
an action planned or taken to achieve a desired result he vowed to use any expedient available to get the project done on time

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in opportunities
something that one uses to accomplish an end especially when the usual means is not available since there wasn't a single bandage left in our backpacks, we had to use a bandanna, our only expedient

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for expedients
  1. substitutes
  2. means
  3. opportunities
  4. measures
  5. resources
  6. resorts
Noun
  • Public bond markets, banks, insurance balance sheets, and private capital are not substitutes in that system.
    — Jim Zelter, Fortune, 31 July 2026
  • Rural communities suffer particularly, with fewer rural hospitals and substitutes available.
    — Richard Menger MD MPA, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Definition of substitutes
Noun
  • Communism is a political and economic system in which property, means of production and natural resources are collectively owned by the community or state, rather than private individuals, and divided either equally or according to need.
    — Elizabeth Shackelford, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Throughout the night, Allie and Owen’s paths continue to cross in the hotbed of lust sweeping across the Big Apple, leading each to wonder if they are truly meant for each other or just there to exist as the means for a desperate encounter.
    — Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of means
Noun
  • Goatscape is working to create more opportunities where people can interact with the goats, Steffes added.
    — Ricky Sayer, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Cahill said Side Street Studio Arts has given him many opportunities over the years to show his work in various group exhibitions.
    — Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of opportunities
Noun
  • Last week, the tides brought dangerous surf conditions to much of the coastline and damaged some of the protective measures put in place by cities.
    — Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 7 Aug. 2026
  • According to the ministry, this will include a review of security procedures, particularly measures to prevent weapons and other dangerous items from being brought onto school premises.
    — Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of measures
Noun
  • Retaliation against the Chinese commodity cartel is reported to be brewing in the form of an Australian iron ore cartel, starting with possible approval for the miners to pool their resources in what would normally be against anti-monopoly law.
    — Tim Treadgold, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Other Republicans said constituents weren't behind it and one Democratic lawmaker worried that the change could cost rural parts of the state federal resources if they're put in the same districts with suburban areas.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of resources
Noun
  • From secluded stays in Antigua to all-inclusive resorts in Punta Mita, these are the best of the best hotels across the Caribbean and Mexico.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Because of this, the yachts feel less like regular cruise ships and more like floating resorts shaped by experts.
    — Jim Dobson, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of resorts
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Browse Nearby Words

expedient
expedients
expedite
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Expedients.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/expedients. Accessed 10 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on expedients

Nglish: Translation of expedients for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Aug. 7

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
fridge-magnet-letters
Drop a Letter Quiz August 2026 Drop a letter from a word to make a totally diffe...
See All