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

There are folks across the country sounding alarms, for political expediency, that are frankly unjustified. —Laura Gersony, The Arizona Republic, 6 Sep. 2024

New Yorkers are fortunate to have a mayor who acts not for reasons of political expediency, as urged by Siegel. —Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 22 Jan. 2024

The expediency of the ending does a lot to dodge the many questions left unresolved. —Ben Travers, IndieWire, 24 July 2024

How much genuine pathos, and how much savvy self-concern, expediency? —Willing Davidson, The New Yorker, 21 July 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