EXPEDIENT most nearly means:

Expedient means convenient and practical for achieving a particular end — often with an implication that principle may be sacrificed for practicality. 'The expedient solution' is the one that works fastest, not necessarily the most ethical one. Also used as a noun: 'They used the ruse as an expedient' = used it as a practical device to achieve their goal. Root: Latin 'expedire' = to free, make ready. Related: practical, pragmatic, convenient. DISTINGUISH from 'expeditious' (done quickly and efficiently) which lacks the moral compromise implication.