expedient
gb/ɪkspˈidiənt/ us/ɪkspˈidiənt/
C1
English
~ 6300
Senses
0 senses
adjective
formal
C1
property
1
convenient but possibly improper
Helpful and practical for your goal, but maybe not the most honest or right thing to do.
Usage pattern:
it is expedient to [verb]
Common mistake:
Learners often think 'expedient' simply means 'fast' or 'good'. In many contexts, it also suggests that the choice may be morally doubtful or chosen only because it is easy or useful. Learners may also confuse 'expedient' with 'expedited', which means 'made faster'.
Synonyms
advantageous (Focuses on benefit or gain; usually lacks the moral doubt that 'expedient' suggests.)
|
opportunistic (Stronger negative tone, often implying selfish or cynical use of a situation.)
|
pragmatic (Emphasizes practical thinking; can be positive and does not always imply moral concern.)
Antonyms
principled (Emphasizes acting according to moral rules, even when this is difficult or inconvenient.)
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inadvisable (Suggests something is not wise or recommended, often ignoring short‑term convenience.)
Collocations
politically expedient
|morally expedient
|expedient solution
|expedient decision
|expedient course of action
|expedient measure
Themes
politics
|ethics
|business
|core_vocabulary
|law
Examples
- The plan was politically expedient, but many argued it was deeply unfair.
- It might be expedient to hide these facts, yet it would certainly not be honest.
- They chose the most expedient course of action, even though it broke several promises.
- Firing a few staff members was expedient, but it damaged trust across the company.
- From a business perspective it was expedient, but ethically it was hard to justify.
Learner examples
- It is expedient to tell this lie, but it is wrong.
- The politician made an expedient choice to win the election.
- This rule is not fair, but it is expedient for the company.
- He took the most expedient way and ignored the rules.
- They did what was expedient, not what was honest.
adjective
formal
C1
property
2
suitable or efficient in situation
Very suitable or useful in a situation, often because it is quick and easy.
Usage pattern:
the most expedient way to [verb]
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse 'expedient' where 'easy' or 'quick' would sound more natural in everyday speech. 'Expedient' is typically used in more formal or written contexts, especially in business or official language.
Synonyms
efficient (Focuses on saving time, money, or effort; does not itself suggest any moral question.)
|
convenient (Highlights personal ease or comfort rather than suitability for a formal purpose.)
|
practical (Broad term for sensible and workable solutions; less formal than 'expedient'.)
Antonyms
impractical (Describes something that does not work well or is not useful in real situations.)
|
inefficient (Emphasizes wasted time, effort, or resources compared with a more expedient method.)
Collocations
expedient method
|expedient way
|most expedient
|more expedient
|expedient means
|administratively expedient
Themes
business
|administration
|problem-solving
|core_vocabulary
|work
Examples
- Email is often the most expedient way to contact our clients.
- To keep costs down, management chose the most expedient method of distribution.
- This software offers an expedient solution to the problem of data entry.
- Holding one large meeting will be more expedient than sending several long emails.
- They are looking for the most expedient way to resolve customer complaints.
Learner examples
- Calling is the most expedient way to get an answer.
- We need an expedient method to fix this problem.
- Taking the train is more expedient than driving today.
- This tool gives us an expedient solution.
- An email is an expedient way to share the news.
Noun
formal
C2
entity
3
a convenient, practical measure
A way of doing something that is chosen because it is easy or useful, not because it is the best or most right way.
Usage pattern:
use [something] as an expedient
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse the noun 'an expedient' with the adjective 'expedient'. After 'an', 'this', or 'that', it is usually the noun (e.g. 'a temporary expedient'), while before another noun it is usually the adjective (e.g. 'an expedient solution').
Synonyms
measure (Very general; refers to any action taken to achieve a result, without the nuance of convenience over principle.)
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stopgap (Highlights something used only until a better solution is found; often more informal than 'expedient'.)
|
makeshift (Emphasizes something roughly put together or not ideal; often concrete or physical.)
Antonyms
principle (Contrasts a convenient method chosen for results with a rule or standard chosen for moral or long‑term reasons.)
|
long-term solution (Opposes a short, convenient fix with a durable, carefully planned answer to a problem.)
Collocations
a temporary expedient
|a necessary expedient
|a short-term expedient
|as an expedient
|resort to an expedient
|a purely expedient
Themes
politics
|strategy
|ethics
|core_vocabulary
|work
Examples
- The curfew was introduced as a temporary expedient during the crisis.
- Using unpaid interns became a financial expedient rather than a genuine training program.
- As an expedient, they rented extra space instead of building a new office.
- He viewed the policy as a short-term expedient, not a permanent answer.
- The agreement was a political expedient designed to calm public anger.
Learner examples
- The new rule is only a temporary expedient.
- As an expedient, we used paper plates at the party.
- This is a financial expedient, not a real plan.
- They saw the change as a necessary expedient.
- The manager used this expedient to fix the problem quickly.
Grammar
Dictionary form
expedient
IPA
GB/ɪkspˈidiənt/
US/ɪkspˈidiənt/
Syllables & stress
ex - pedi - ent (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (pedi)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: expedient
Noun
- Base: expedient
- Plural: expedients
Word family
Forms
expedients
noun
Core family
expediency
noun
expediently
adverb
Related words
expedite
verb C1
expeditious
adjective
Negative and opposite forms
inexpedient
adjective
inexpediently
adverb
inexpediency
noun
Advanced or less common
expediter
noun
expeditiously
adverb
Expressions
a temporary expedient
1/ə tˈɛmpɚˌɛɹi ɪkspˈidiənt/
fixed phrase
formal
short-term practical measure
A quick, short-term way to deal with a problem while you look for a better, more permanent answer.
Examples
- The shelter was only a temporary expedient until permanent housing could be arranged.
- Using volunteers is a temporary expedient, not a long-term staffing plan.
as an expedient
1/ˈæz ən ɪkspˈidiənt/
fixed phrase
formal
used as a convenient measure
Used to say that something is done because it is easy or useful in the situation, not because it is the best way.
Examples
- As an expedient, the city opened schools on weekends to reduce overcrowding.
- They hired part-time staff as an expedient during the busy season.
politically expedient
1/pəlˈɪtɪkəli ɪkspˈidiənt/
fixed phrase
formal
useful for political advantage
Helpful for a person or group in politics, especially to win or keep power, even if it is not the fairest or best choice.
Examples
- Supporting the bill was politically expedient, even though many in the party disliked it.
- It may be politically expedient to delay the vote until after the election.