Synonyms of expedient

expedient 1 of 2

adjective

ik-ˈspē-dē-ənt 

as in prudent

suitable for bringing about a desired result under the circumstances

made the expedient decision to sell the land to whomever offered the most money

Synonyms & Similar Words

• prudent
• desirable
• wise
• tactical
• possible
• advisable
• judicious
• politic
• practical
• beneficial
• advantageous
• profitable
• useful
• practicable
• feasible
• utilitarian
• opportune
• timely
• seasonable
• opportunistic
• self-seeking

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unwise
• inexpedient
• inadvisable
• imprudent
• impractical
• injudicious
• unprofitable
• unfeasible
• impolitic
• untimely
• profitless
• inopportune
• unseasonable

expedient

2 of 2

noun

1

as in substitute

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

• substitute
• makeshift
• stopgap
• backup
• recourse
• refuge
• alternate
• resort
• quick fix
• stand-in
• standby
• understudy

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

• means
• measure
• step
• move
• action
• attempt
• effort
• shift
• procedure
• resource
• act
• operation
• doing
• process
• initiative
• proceeding
• course
• deed
• endeavor
• try
• coup
• dealing
• activity
• proposal
• feat
• enterprise
• success
• attainment
• accomplishment
• triumph
• undertaking
• exploit
• project
• proposition
• thing
• while
• business
• achievement
• event
• work
• pass
• resort
• affair
• labor
• exertion
• pains
• trial
• trouble
• go
• essay
• stopgap
• crack
• stab
• makeshift
• shot
• countermeasure
• countermove
• whack
• counterstep
• fling

3

as in opportunity

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

• opportunity
• recourse
• resource
• resort
• possibility
• substitute
• replacement
• relief
• stopgap
• hope
• makeshift

Synonym Chooser

How is the word expedient distinct from other similar adjectives?

The words advisable and politic are common synonyms of expedient. While all three words mean "dictated by practical or prudent motives," expedient usually implies what is immediately advantageous without regard for ethics or consistent principles.

a politically expedient decision

How is advisable related to other words for expedient?

Advisable applies to what is practical, prudent, or advantageous but lacks the derogatory implication of expedient and politic.

sometimes it's advisable to say nothing

When could politic be used to replace expedient?

While in some cases nearly identical to expedient, politic stresses judiciousness and tactical value but usually implies some lack of candor or sincerity.

a politic show of interest

Examples Sentences

Recent Examples of expedient

Adjective

In his view, the main impediment to that trust is saying one thing and doing another, especially when the long-term mission doesn’t square with an expedient decision. —Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 7 June 2024

The politically expedient position, in a world afflicted by Iraq syndrome, is a quasi-isolationist one, since the public is not willing to underwrite the costs of lasting international commitments. —Peter Feaver, Foreign Affairs, 15 Mar. 2023

Noun

Handing over basically all of your supply sourcing to one company may be convenient and economically expedient, but also very risky, especially if Motherson decided, at some point, to pull out of the deal. —Ed Garsten, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024

The problem is, most of the managers making this move are doing it privately, simply as a tactical expedient for solving discrete problems or getting through a crunch. —John Winsor jin H. Paik, Harvard Business Review, 17 Feb. 2024