“Expedient” and “Expeditious” are terms that are easily mixed up due to their similarity in sound and their relation to achieving results. However, they carry different meanings and implications. “Expedient” is typically used in a strategic or sometimes ethical context, referring to actions that are advantageous or practical but not necessarily morally right. “Expeditious,” on the other hand, refers strictly to the speed and efficiency of an action, especially in completing tasks or processes.
Expedient
Definition:
“Expedient” means convenient and practical, although possibly improper or immoral. It often involves doing something that serves one’s own interests, sometimes at the expense of ethics.
Examples of use:
It is expedient for him to start his re-election campaign early to maximize his visibility compared to his opponents.
The company found it expedient to settle the lawsuit out of court to avoid the high costs and public scrutiny that a trial would entail.
Sometimes, it is expedient to compromise on one’s ideals to achieve a greater good or maintain harmony in a team.
Expeditious
Definition:
“Expeditious” means acting with speed and efficiency, focusing on quick and effective completion of a task.
Examples of use:
Please transfer the funds the most expeditious way to ensure we meet our payment obligations by the deadline.
The rescue team was commended for their expeditious actions, which saved many lives following the earthquake.
To meet the project timelines, it was necessary for all teams to work in an expeditious manner.
While both “expedient” and “expeditious” relate to achieving results, “expedient” often carries a connotation of self-interest and practicality, possibly at the cost of ethical considerations. “Expeditious,” however, is purely about the speed and efficiency of an action, devoid of any ethical implications.
