expedient
- 01 C1 Advanced
adj.useful or helpful for achieving a goal in a particular situation.
adj.suitable or appropriate for a particular purpose or to effect a desired end.
Simple“The government found it expedient to lower taxes just before the election.”
In context“The committee decided it was politically expedient to postpone the vote until the public outcry had subsided.”
UsageOften used to describe political or business decisions that prioritise results over ethics.
SynonymsAntonymsinexpedientunsuitable - 02 C1 Advanced
adj.helpful for getting what you want right now, even if it is not morally right.
adj.characterised by self-interest or immediate advantage rather than by what is right or just.
Simple“He made an expedient choice to lie about his past to get the job.”
In context“The CEO's expedient disregard for safety regulations eventually led to a massive environmental disaster.”
Synonymsself servingopportunisticAntonyms - 03 C2 Proficiency
n.a quick way to solve a problem, often used when you do not have a better choice.
n.a means of attaining an end, especially one that is convenient but perhaps improper or immoral.
Simple“The new law was just a temporary expedient to stop the financial crisis.”
In context“Relying on high-interest loans was a desperate expedient that only delayed the company's eventual bankruptcy.”
Teacher's tipIn this noun form, it is often paired with 'temporary' or 'desperate' to describe a short-term fix.
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”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.