ex·pend·able
ik-ˈspen-də-bəl 
: that may be expended: such as
a
: normally used up or consumed in service
expendable supplies like pencils and paper
b
: more easily or economically replaced than rescued, salvaged, or protected
: one that is expendable
—usually used in plural
Examples of expendable in a Sentence
Adjective
employees whose jobs are considered expendable
Recent Examples on the Web
Vincent Alban, Chicago Tribune, 19 May 2024
In the monolithic rule of the Kim family in Pyongyang, North Korea’s capital, top officials outside Kim Jong-un’s immediate kin are ultimately considered expendable.
—Choe Sang-Hun, New York Times, 8 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for expendable 
Adjective
Declining print circulation in the digital age slowed production, diminished the employee ranks, curtailed raises and made the sprawling plant expendable under new ownership.
—Vincent Alban, Chicago Tribune, 19 May 2024
In the monolithic rule of the Kim family in Pyongyang, North Korea’s capital, top officials outside Kim Jong-un’s immediate kin are ultimately considered expendable.
—Choe Sang-Hun, New York Times, 8 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for expendable
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'expendable.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near expendable
Cite this Entry
“Expendable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/expendable. Accessed 31 May. 2024.
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