'Expedient' definitions:

Definition of 'expedient'

From: WordNet
adjective
Serving to promote your interest; "was merciful only when mercy was expedient" [ant: inexpedient]
adjective
Appropriate to a purpose; practical; "in the circumstances it was expedient to express loyalty"
noun
A means to an end; not necessarily a principled or ethical one

Definition of 'Expedient'

From: GCIDE
  • Expedient \Ex*pe"di*ent\a. [L. expediens, -entis, p. pr. of expedire to be expedient, release, extricate: cf. F. exp['e]dient. See Expedite.]
  • 1. Hastening or forward; hence, tending to further or promote a proposed object; fit or proper under the circumstances; conducive to self-interest; desirable; advisable; advantageous; -- sometimes contradistinguished from right or principled. [1913 Webster]
  • It is expedient for you that I go away. --John xvi. 7. [1913 Webster]
  • Nothing but the right can ever be expedient, since that can never be true expediency which would sacrifice a greater good to a less. --Whately. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. Quick; expeditious. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]
  • His marches are expedient to this town. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Expedient'

From: GCIDE
  • Expedient \Ex*pe"di*ent\, n.
  • 1. That which serves to promote or advance; suitable means to accomplish an end. [1913 Webster]
  • What sure expedient than shall Juno find, To calm her fears and ease her boding mind? --Philips. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. Means devised in an exigency; shift.
  • Syn: Shift; contrivance; resource; substitute. [1913 Webster]

Synonyms of 'expedient'

From: Moby Thesaurus