adjective / noun
expedient
ik-SPEE-dee-unt/ɪkspˈidiʌnt/
A practical way to achieve an immediate aim, even if not ideal or proper.
Tape provides a temporary expedient for repairing the leaking watering can.
Etymology
Latin expedire, “make fit or ready,” connects expedient with being useful for a purpose. Something can therefore be expedient because it advances an aim, even when it is not principled.
In context
both parties viewed impeachment is something that was not politically expedient overly risky and politically toxic
More examples
- Delaying repairs is politically expedient, but the damage keeps getting worse.
- They keep the office open by the simple expedient of sharing costs.
- A temporary patch is more expedient than replacing the entire pipe.
Forms
expedient · expedients · more expedient · most expedient
expediency noun — Practical usefulness despite possible moral concerns.
expediently adverb — In a practical but potentially improper way.
Similar words
- stopgap
- A temporary measure used until a better solution becomes available.
- shortcut
- A faster method that skips steps, sometimes sacrificing quality.
- pragmatic
- Focuses on practical results without necessarily implying improper conduct.