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

The prospect of a settlement of the lawsuit has created a great deal of consternation at CBS News and 60 Minutes, as it would be viewed as a cave to Trump in the name of corporate expediency. —Ted Johnson, Deadline, 7 Apr. 2025

Illinois was on board with the previous dirty deal as well: Justice clearly matters less than expediency in the office of Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul. —The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 2 Feb. 2025

Behind the scenes: Trump's implicit endorsement of Musk's position on H1-B visas, in opposition to longtime MAGA, suggests that the ties run deeper than electoral expediency. —Dan Primack, Axios, 3 Jan. 2025

In the 1960s and 1970s, Congress delegated its tariff-making powers to the president for expediency reasons. —Ryan Young, Twin Cities, 27 Feb. 2025

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