expediency

Also found in: Thesaurus, Wikipedia.

ex·pe·di·en·cy

(ĭk-spē′dē-ən-sē)

n. pl. ex·pe·di·en·cies

1. Appropriateness to the purpose at hand.

2. Adherence to self-serving means: a politician, guided by expediency rather than principle.

3. A means; an expedient.

expediency

(ɪkˈspiːdɪənsɪ) or

expedience

n, pl -encies or -ences

1. appropriateness; suitability

2. the use of or inclination towards methods that are advantageous rather than fair or just

3. another word for expedient³

ex•pe•di•en•cy

(ɪkˈspi di ən si)

n., pl. -cies.

1. the quality of being expedient; advantageousness.

2. a regard for what is politic or advantageous rather than for what is right or just.

3. something expedient.

Often, ex•pe′di•ence.

[1605–15; < Late Latin]

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

Switch to new thesaurus

Noun

expediency - the quality of being suited to the end in view

expedience

advantage, vantage - the quality of having a superior or more favorable position; "the experience gave him the advantage over me"

inexpedience, inexpediency - the quality of being unsuited to the end in view

expediency

expedience

noun suitability, benefit, fitness, utility, effectiveness, convenience, profitability, practicality, usefulness, prudence, pragmatism, propriety, desirability, appropriateness, utilitarianism, helpfulness, advisability, aptness, judiciousness, properness, meetness, advantageousness His decision was dictated by expediency rather than morals.

expediency

noun

Something used temporarily or reluctantly when other means are not available:

expedient, makeshift, shift, stopgap.

Translations

مُلائَمَه، إنْتِهاز الفُرص السّانِحَه

formålstjenlighedudvej

Tunlichkeit

convenance

hentugleiki

aspettativa attesa conveniente convenienza espediente

formålstjenlighet

işine gelme

方便权宜私利

expedient

(ikˈspiːdiənt) adjective

convenient or advisable. It is not expedient to pay him what he has asked.

exˈpedience noun

exˈpediency noun

References in classic literature ?

"Learn, caitiff, the expediency of uncalculating zeal.

View in context

De Courcy, which I know was given with the full conviction of its expediency, though I am not quite determined on following it.

View in context

Can there not be a government in which the majorities do not virtually decide right and wrong, but conscience?--in which majorities decide only those questions to which the rule of expediency is applicable?

View in context

Paley, a common authority with many on moral questions, in his chapter on the "Duty of Submission to Civil Government," resolves all civil obligation into expediency; and he proceeds to say that "so long as the interest of the whole society requires it, that is, so long as the established government cannot be resisted or changed without public inconveniency, it is the will of God...

View in context

The quantity of the imposition, the expediency or inexpediency of an increase on either side, would be mutually questions of prudence; but there would be involved no direct contradiction of power.

View in context

Expediency therefore concurs with Nature in stamping the seal of its approval upon Regularity of conformation: nor has the Law been backward in seconding their efforts.

View in context

In the expediency of this I could not but acquiesce; and as the natives had now completed their preparations, I watched with the liveliest interest the reception that Toby's application might meet with.

View in context

Sam, loud and overbearing as he was, she rather regretted when he went, for he was clever and intelligent, and glad to be employed in any errand in the town; and though spurning the remonstrances of Susan, given as they were, though very reasonable in themselves, with ill-timed and powerless warmth, was beginning to be influenced by Fanny's services and gentle persuasions; and she found that the best of the three younger ones was gone in him: Tom and Charles being at least as many years as they were his juniors distant from that age of feeling and reason, which might suggest the expediency of making friends, and of endeavouring to be less disagreeable.

View in context

Troy being consulted as to the expediency of accepting this proposal, objected to the pecuniary terms demanded as being extravagantly high.

View in context

It ought to have been a habit with him by this time, of following his duty, instead of consulting expediency. I can allow for the fears of the child, but not of the man.

View in context

But as the ultimate object of these papers is to determine clearly and fully the merits of this Constitution, and the expediency of adopting it, our plan cannot be complete without taking a more critical and thorough survey of the work of the convention, without examining it on all its sides, comparing it in all its parts, and calculating its probable effects.

View in context

The different measures suited to the nine varieties of ground; the expediency of aggressive or defensive tactics; and the fundamental laws of human nature: these are things that must most certainly be studied.