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 group is also the choice of expediency, since Russia offers troops, weapons, and training with no strings attached. —Colin P. Clarke, Foreign Affairs, 11 May 2023

Built for expediency Texas Children's emergency department is next door to its urgent care. —Nicole Villalpando, Austin American-Statesman, 2 Feb. 2024

The Trump campaign, and Vance in particular, need to answer and be held accountable for dangerous, racist lies for political expediency. —Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 27 Sep. 2024

At one level, the book is a work of contemporary history, telling the story of an ongoing global political crisis—a chaotic spectacle of uncertainty, fear, and political expediency in which multilateral cooperation quickly gave way to nationalism, populism, and great-power rivalry. —Colin Kahl and Thomas Wright, Foreign Affairs, 14 Dec. 2021

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