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expedient definition

ex·pedi·ent (ek spē′dē ənt, ik-)

adjective

  1. useful for effecting a desired result; suited to the circumstances or the occasion; advantageous; convenient
  2. based on or offering what is of use or advantage rather than what is right or just; guided by self-interest; politic

Etymology: ME < OFr < L expediens, prp. of expedire: see expedite

noun

  1. an expedient thing; means to an end
  2. a device used in an emergency; makeshift; resource

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

expedient Synonyms

expedient

modif.

  1. Appropriate

    desirable, advisable, fitting; see fit 1, 2.

  2. Advantageous

    profitable, useful, convenient, politic; see helpful 1, practical, profitable.


expedient

n.

resource, makeshift, means to an end; see device 1, 2, resort 1, resource. See syn. study at resort.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

expedient Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • deem: Also to refuse or cancel any entries, to postpone or abandon the Show and relax conditions as the Society may deem expedient.

Adjective modifier

  • temporary: The executor decided that lodging with Mrs Faulkner would provide a temporary expedient.

Modifies a noun

  • manner: The City of London will make every effort to ensure that your report is dealt with in an expedient manner.

Modifying Another Word

  • politically: The re-use of existing sites would be politically expedient.

Infinitive complement

  • proceed: The sea increasing Mr. Pitts, the chief Coastguard stationed at Portsoy, deemed it expedient to proceed with the life-saving apparatus.

Used with adjective complement

  • deem: When sanctions were deemed expedient to fulfill U.S. foreign policy goals, they were touted by U.S. officials as indispensable.

Preposition: in

  • connection: The power to designate the relevant authority in Wales includes power to modify any enactment as necessary or expedient in connection with the designation.
expedient usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

expedient quotes

   All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.

-Bible (NewTestament)

The British Labour movement is today, and for many years has been, working in a narrow circle of strikes that are looked upon, not as an expedient, and not as a means of propaganda, but as an ultimate aim.

-Engels, Friedrich

'The true'to put it very briefly, is only the expedient in the way of our thinking, just as 'the right' is only the expedient in the way of our behaving.

-James,William

expedient quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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"expedient." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/expedient>

APA Style

expedient. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/expedient

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