expedient
n.n. a way of doing something that is useful or helpful, even if it is not the most honest or fair choice. You use this when you need to get a job done quickly, even if it feels a bit sneaky.
n. a course of action that is advantageous or beneficial, even if it is morally questionable or not strictly honest. Often used in political or strategic contexts to describe pragmatic decisions.
The politician used a quick expedient to win the election.
In a time of crisis, the government may take an expedient that would normally be considered unethical to save lives.
While the immediate expedient of lowering taxes pleased the electorate, the long-term consequences for the national debt were severe and difficult to reverse.
From Middle English expedient, from Old French expedient, from Latin expediens (stem expedient-), present participle of expedire (“to bring forward, to dispatch, to expedite; impers. to be profitable, serviceable, advantageous, expedient”), from ex (“out”) + pēs (“foot, hoof”).