EXPEDIENT Synonyms: 108 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

expedient 1 of 2

adjective

ik-ˈspē-dē-ənt

Definition of expedient

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

expedient

2 of 2

noun

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

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

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

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of expedient

Adjective

Her unwillingness to see this complicated problem outside of a politically expedient, simplistic partisan lens is disqualifying. — Mercury News & East Bay Times Editorial Boards, Mercury News, 15 May 2026 Many of these professionals may be working with booking agents, so social media wouldn’t be the most expedient way to get to them. — Eric Thomas, Sun Sentinel, 13 May 2026

Noun

At the core of Ditto is a commitment to providing excellent customer service, with quick response to phone calls and solutions that are efficient and expedient. — Connie Etemadi, Miami Herald, 20 May 2026 Her unwillingness to see this complicated problem outside of a politically expedient, simplistic partisan lens is disqualifying. — Mercury News & East Bay Times Editorial Boards, Mercury News, 15 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for expedient

Recent Examples of Synonyms for expedient

Adjective

Critics of Modi’s prudent management of Washington have not come up with a convincing alternative strategy for how India should handle the growing power imbalance with China.

— C. Raja Mohan, Foreign Affairs, 27 Aug. 2026
But Newsom’s new language moves away from the prudent standard and also drops the fatality requirement.

— Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of prudent

Noun

With substitute Danny Imray, another new face at The Racecourse Ground, setting Ekomie up for his first goal in English football, Wrexham look well served in what has been a key area throughout Parkinson’s five years at the helm.

— Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Somehow, this all dovetails with the fact that Davis and Friend were themselves substitutes for Greta Lee and Andrew Scott, who were cast as the leads when the film was announced in 2024.

— Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of substitute

Noun

The Gulf states have experimented with ship-to-ship transfers and other means of moving crude around Iranian restrictions.

— Hamidreza Azizi, Time, 29 Aug. 2026
Living with endometriosis means becoming an expert on highly specialized ingredients and constantly cross-checking product labels.

— Bella Webb, Vogue, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of means

Noun

According to the investigation, the Clippers broke league rules by initiating off-court income opportunities and facilitating endorsement agreements between Leonard and four companies that also did business with the team.

— Josh Feldman, NBC news, 3 Sep. 2026
Women in music have so many more opportunities and are taken so seriously and are headlining festivals and doing all of this stuff.

— Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of opportunity

Adjective

As high-quality synthetic re-creations become cheap and accessible, cloning has become a more desirable option for studios struggling with runaway production costs.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026
Summary Personality traits often blur between desirable and undesirable, with positive qualities becoming negative in extreme.

— Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of desirable

Noun

So there’s at least enough time for the countries to find a stopgap solution.

— ABC News, ABC News, 26 Aug. 2026
Grocery stores have been the primary place families went for food, while pantries, community kitchens, and other emergency food providers served as temporary stopgaps.

— Greg Silverman, New York Daily News, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of stopgap

Noun

On Tuesday, OpenAI said Astra was its first model to cross certain internal capability thresholds for implementing stricter security measures, as laid out in its longstanding Preparedness Framework.

— Jared Perlo, NBC news, 3 Sep. 2026
Such proclamations are a procedural measure officials take in emergencies to allow for mobilization of resources and staff to prepare for and respond to potential impacts.

— Doyle Rice, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of measure

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“Expedient.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/expedient. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of expedient

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noun

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