Synonyms of expedient

expedient 1 of 2

adjective

ik-ˈspē-dē-ənt 

as in prudent

suitable for bringing about a desired result under the circumstances

made the expedient decision to sell the land to whomever offered the most money

Synonyms & Similar Words

• prudent
• desirable
• wise
• tactical
• possible
• advisable
• judicious
• politic
• practical
• beneficial
• advantageous
• profitable
• useful
• practicable
• feasible
• utilitarian
• opportune
• timely
• seasonable
• opportunistic
• self-seeking

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unwise
• inexpedient
• inadvisable
• imprudent
• impractical
• injudicious
• unprofitable
• unfeasible
• impolitic
• untimely
• profitless
• inopportune
• unseasonable

expedient

2 of 2

noun

1

as in substitute

a temporary replacement

if you're a spectator caught without rainwear at a sporting event, then a plastic garbage bag makes an acceptable, if unfashionable, expedient

Synonyms & Similar Words

• substitute
• makeshift
• stopgap
• backup
• recourse
• refuge
• alternate
• resort
• quick fix
• stand-in
• standby
• understudy

2

as in means

an action planned or taken to achieve a desired result

he vowed to use any expedient available to get the project done on time

Synonyms & Similar Words

• means
• measure
• step
• move
• action
• attempt
• effort
• shift
• procedure
• resource
• act
• operation
• doing
• process
• initiative
• proceeding
• course
• deed
• endeavor
• try
• coup
• dealing
• activity
• proposal
• feat
• enterprise
• success
• attainment
• accomplishment
• triumph
• undertaking
• exploit
• project
• proposition
• thing
• while
• business
• achievement
• event
• work
• pass
• resort
• affair
• labor
• exertion
• pains
• trial
• trouble
• go
• essay
• stopgap
• crack
• stab
• makeshift
• shot
• countermeasure
• countermove
• whack
• counterstep
• fling

3

as in opportunity

something that one uses to accomplish an end especially when the usual means is not available

since there wasn't a single bandage left in our backpacks, we had to use a bandanna, our only expedient

Synonyms & Similar Words

• opportunity
• recourse
• resource
• resort
• possibility
• substitute
• replacement
• relief
• stopgap
• hope
• makeshift

Synonym Chooser

How is the word expedient distinct from other similar adjectives?

The words advisable and politic are common synonyms of expedient. While all three words mean "dictated by practical or prudent motives," expedient usually implies what is immediately advantageous without regard for ethics or consistent principles.

a politically expedient decision

How is advisable related to other words for expedient?

Advisable applies to what is practical, prudent, or advantageous but lacks the derogatory implication of expedient and politic.

sometimes it's advisable to say nothing

When could politic be used to replace expedient?

While in some cases nearly identical to expedient, politic stresses judiciousness and tactical value but usually implies some lack of candor or sincerity.

a politic show of interest

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of expedient

Adjective

Depleting our rainy-day fund, aggressively raising taxes on businesses or adding to our debt are politically expedient but not useful in the long run. —Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 2 Jan. 2025

The transfer has received bipartisan support and an expedient legislative process, a rarity in recent Smithsonian history. —Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 5 Dec. 2024

Noun

During election seasons, calling for enhanced punitive measures—whether those are mandatory minimum sentences or the death penalty—have frequently proved politically expedient for both sides of the political aisle. —TIME, 10 Feb. 2025

But history shows that this approach—while politically expedient—is inherently fragile. —Casey Burgat, TIME, 21 Jan. 2025