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

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

Noun

And the simple expedient of wearing long sleeves and pants limits the parts of the body that are exposed to any biting insect. — Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 28 May 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for expedient

Recent Examples of Synonyms for expedient

Adjective

What might seem like prudent preparation in Washington or Tehran could help bring about the war it is meant to deter.

— Ali Vaez, Time, 21 Oct. 2026
In other words, presenting the actual risks — without sensationalism — is prudent.

— Nicholas Florko, STAT, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of prudent

Noun

At times, Zukenee’s chameleonic range and ironic language can feel like a shrewd substitute for vulnerability.

— Narsimha Gour Chintaluri, Pitchfork, 21 Oct. 2026
America can point to tankers still transiting Hormuz, but shipping that depends on costly military protection and remains under threat is a poor substitute for normal trade.

— Ali Vaez, Time, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of substitute

Noun

Analysts attributed elevated gas prices to ongoing fighting in the Middle East, which has damaged oil infrastructure and forced firms to take up costly means of transporting crude.

— ABC News, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026
Only Washington, North Carolina and Oregon tracked rejection rates with enough detail to distinguish ballots received in the mail from those received by some other means, like a ballot drop box.

— Ken B. Morales, ProPublica, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of means

Noun

In the 1950s, bluestripe snapper, also known in Hawai’i by its Tahitian name, ta’ape, was introduced to O’ahu, when roughly 3,000 fish were released to bolster fishing opportunities and establish a new food source.

— Victoria Malloy, Time, 21 Oct. 2026
The opportunity now is to build on these lessons through closer cooperation across governments, industry, technology and capital in order to create energy systems that can perform reliably as demand and complexity continue to grow.

— H.E. Dr Abdulla Saif Al Jarwan, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of opportunity

Adjective

The rise of affordable alternatives flips part of that playbook by celebrating the hunt itself, aka the ability to track down desirable products for less.

— Ashley Lynch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Oct. 2026
Others cite potential sharp shifts in drug use behaviors, such as people stopping opioid use because the supply became less desirable through lacing with sedatives such as xylazine and medetomidine.

— J. Travis Donahoe, STAT, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of desirable

Noun

Major home-review outlets have moved past one-off endorsements into extended, real-household testing, and the category now looks less like a stopgap and more like standard furniture infrastructure.

— Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2026
Thus far, the French government has offered stopgap measures, such as sending 3,000 substitute teachers into empty teaching posts around the country.

— Colette Davidson, Christian Science Monitor, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of stopgap

Noun

How fast the benefits of a truly life-changing technology flow through the economy is the actual measure of how fast it is being adopted.

— Stephen Messer, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
Macron previously said ban measures aim to protect city centers, businesses and public buildings.

— Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of measure

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“Expedient.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/expedient. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of expedient

adjective

noun

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