Expediency means doing what is convenient rather than what is morally right.
[formal]
Political expediency, rather than economic need, will determine who gains from theconflict.
This was a matter less of morals than of expediency.
More Synonyms of expediency
expediency in British English
(ɪkˈspiːdɪənsɪ) or expedience
nounWord forms: plural-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 expedient (sense 3)
expediency in American English
(ɛkˈspidiənsi; ɪkˈspidiənsi)
nounWord forms: pluralexˈpediencies
1.
the quality or state of being expedient; suitability for a given purpose; appropriateness to the conditions
2.
the doing or consideration of what is of selfish use or advantage rather than of what is right or just; self-interest
3.
an expedient
Also exˈpedience
Examples of 'expediency' in a sentence
expediency
Tax plans born out of political ideology rather than economic expediency almost always end in failure.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Actions taken for reasons of political and economic expediency have been presented as if altruism were the sole motive.
Salkie, Raphael The Chomsky Update - Linguistics and Politics (1990)
But others fear that it could cut corners in the name of economic expediency resulting in a degrading of justice.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Partly, this may be down to political expediency rather than health reasons.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
This was not for a war of national survival, but for political expediency.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
This can only be based on grounds of political expediency, not national security.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
In doing so, he appeared prepared to sacrifice military success on the altar of political expediency.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Avoiding the promotion of political and constitutional reform on the basis of short-term expediency is imperative.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
I am keen that this will be based on evidence rather than political expediency.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The government must be careful not to sacrifice prosperity for political expediency by saddling business with costs that could harm investment which is critical to increasing productivity.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
I think that people can see the political expediency of the U-turn.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The government has not provided such a plan, and looks as if it has no intention of doing so for reasons of political expediency.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
The reason for Beijing's lack of interest was most likely a simple matter of bad timing and political expediency.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
But he considers it wrong that rugby's heartlands are being ignored and substantial areas disenfranchised, purely for financial expediency.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
In other languages
expediency
British English: expediency NOUN
Expediency means doing what is convenient rather than what is morally right.
This was a matter less of morals than of expediency.
American English: expediency
Brazilian Portuguese: conveniência
Chinese: 权宜之计
European Spanish: conveniencia
French: opportunisme
German: Zweckmäßigkeit
Italian: opportunismo
Japanese: 便宜
Korean: 편의
European Portuguese: conveniência
Latin American Spanish: conveniencia
1 (noun)
Definition
appropriateness or suitability
His decision was dictated by expediency rather than morals.
Synonyms
suitability
information on the suitability of a product for use in the home
benefit
fitness
There is a debate about his fitness for the job.
utility
He inwardly questioned the utility of his work.
effectiveness
convenience
She was delighted with the convenience of this arrangement.
profitability
practicality
usefulness
His interest lay in the usefulness of his work.
prudence
pragmatism
propriety
They questioned the propriety of the corporation's use of public money.
desirability
appropriateness
He wonders about the appropriateness of every move he makes.
utilitarianism
helpfulness
advisability
He is doubtful about the advisability of interference with the system.
aptness
judiciousness
properness
meetness
advantageousness
2 (noun)
Synonyms
means
measure
He said stern measures would be taken against the rioters.
scheme
a quick money-making scheme
method
resource
She is willing to use every resource to win an argument.
shift
resort
device
His actions are obviously a device to buy time.
substitute
She is seeking a substitute while her secretary is on leave.
manoeuvre
manoeuvres to block the electoral process
makeshift
expedient
I reduced my spending by the simple expedient of destroying my credit cards.
stratagem
a competitive stratagem to secure customer loyalty
contrivance
It is nothing more than a contrivance to raise prices.
stopgap
It is not an acceptable long term solution, just a stopgap.
Additional synonyms
in the sense of advisability
He is doubtful about the advisability of interference with the system.
Synonyms
wisdom,
fitness,
profitability,
prudence,
suitability,
propriety,
desirability,
expediency,
appropriateness,
soundness,
aptness,
judiciousness,
seemliness
in the sense of appropriateness
He wonders about the appropriateness of every move he makes.
Synonyms
suitability,
fitness,
relevance,
correctness,
felicity,
rightness,
applicability,
timeliness,
aptness,
pertinence,
fittingness,
seemliness,
appositeness,
properness,
germaneness,
opportuneness,
becomingness,
congruousness,
felicitousness,
well-suitedness
in the sense of contrivance
Definition
an elaborate or deceitful plan
It is nothing more than a contrivance to raise prices.