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

Lawmakers could offer substitute proposals, with final votes after 100 hours of debate.

— Kevin Freking, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026
Quinta de la Rosa Extra Dry White Port Perfumed with a note of pear, this offering is a great lower-alcohol substitute for gin or vodka in most cocktails but equally quaffable when splashed with tonic or seltzer.

— Joseph Hernandez, Bon Appetit Magazine, 26 Aug. 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

The upcoming 17-day FIBA break could be an opportunity for a new player to acclimate to Hammon’s system in Las Vegas.

— Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 28 Aug. 2026
Beyond balancing your hormones, these can be some of the most effective ways to manage endometriosis, but as the opportunity grows, so does the potential for misinformation and misleading claims.

— Bella Webb, Vogue, 28 Aug. 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

To date, Grok and other LLMs’ only recourse is to create guardrails that flag suspicious instructions and forbid them from being executed.

— Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 20 Aug. 2026
Your recourse at this point is talking directly to the supervisor rather than hinting about your displeasure.

— R Eric Thomas, Baltimore Sun, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of recourse

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“Expedient.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/expedient. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of expedient

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noun

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