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 expediency allows the company's constellation to get up and running just before wildfire season begins. —Josh Dinner, Space.com, 26 Mar. 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

Biden could have benefitted from the kind of careful, experienced judgment that Johnson will bring to the White House—ensuring that clemency serves justice, not political expediency. —David Faris, Newsweek, 26 Feb. 2025

Critics argue that it can be used for political expediency or to shield allies from accountability, potentially undermining the justice system's integrity. —Walter Pavlo, Forbes, 19 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