A means to an end; not necessarily a principled or ethical one.

Roget 626: plan, scheme, design, project; proposal, proposition, suggestion; resolution, motion; precaution etc. (provision) 673; deep-laid plan etc. (premeditated) 611; system etc. (order) 58; organization etc. (arrangement) 60; germ etc. (cause) 153.    sketch, skeleton, outline, draught, draft, ebauche [Fr.], brouillon [Fr.]; rough cast, rough draft, draught copy; copy; proof, revise.    drawing, scheme, schematic, graphic, chart, flow chart (representation) 554.    forecast, program, programme, prospectus; carte du pays [Fr.]; card; bill, protocol; order of the day, list of agenda; bill of fare etc. (food) 298; base of operations; platform, plank, slate [U.S.], ticket [U.S.].    role; policy etc. (line of conduct) 692.    contrivance, invention, expedient, receipt, nostrum, artifice, device; pipelaying [U.S.]; stratagem etc. (cunning) 702; trick etc. (deception) 545; alternative, loophole; shift etc. (substitute) 147; last shift etc. (necessity) 601.    measure, step; stroke, stroke of policy; master stroke; trump card, court card; cheval de bataille [Fr.], great gun; coup, coup d'etat [Fr.]; clever stroke, bold stroke, good move, good hit, good stroke; bright thought, bright idea.    intrigue, cabal, plot, conspiracy, complot^†, machination; subplot, underplot^†, counterplot.    schemer, schemist^†, schematist^†; strategist, machinator; projector, artist, promoter, designer etc. v.; conspirator; intrigant etc. (cunning) 702^†.    ... show more

Roget 631: instrumentality; aid etc. 707; subservience, subserviency; mediation, intervention, medium, intermedium^†, vehicle, hand; agency etc. 170.    minister, handmaid; midwife, accoucheur [Fr.], accoucheuse [Fr.], obstetrician; gobetween; cat's-paw; stepping-stone.    opener etc. 260; key; master key, passkey, latchkey; open sesame;" passport, passe-partout, safe-conduct, password.    instrument etc. 633; expedient etc. (plan) 626; means etc. 632.    ... show more

Dutch: expediënt, redmiddel

Serving to promote your interest.

Roget 646: expedient; desirable, advisable, acceptable; convenient; worth while, meet; fit, fitting; due, proper, eligible, seemly, becoming; befitting etc. v.; opportune etc. (in season) 134; in loco; suitable etc. (accordant) 23; applicable etc. (useful) 644.    ... show more

Roget 498: intelligent [Applied to persons], quick of apprehension, keen, acute, alive, brainy, awake, bright, quick, sharp; quick witted, keen witted, clear witted, sharp-eyed, sharp sighted, sharp witted; wide-awake; canny, shrewd, astute; clear-headed; farsighted etc. 510; discerning, perspicacious, penetrating, piercing; argute^†; quick-witted, nimble-witted, needle-witted; sharp as a needle, sharp as a tack; alive to etc. (cognizant) 490; clever etc. (apt) 698; arch etc. (cunning) 702; pas si bete [Fr.]; acute etc. 682.    wise, sage, sapient, sagacious, reasonable, rational, sound, in one's right mind, sensible, abnormis sapiens [Lat.], judicious, strong-minded.    unprejudiced, unbiased, unbigoted^†, unprepossessed^†; undazzled^†, unperplexed^†; unwarped judgment^†, impartial, equitable, fair.    cool; cool-headed, long-headed, hardheaded, strong-headed; long-sighted, calculating, thoughtful, reflecting; solid, deep, profound.    oracular; heaven-directed, heaven-born.    prudent etc. (cautious) 864; sober, stand, solid; considerate, politic, wise in one's generation; watchful etc. 459; provident etc. (prepared) 673; in advance of one' age; wise as a serpent, wise as Solomon, wise as Solon.    [Applied to actions] wise, sensible, reasonable, judicious; well-thought-out, well-planned, well-judged, well-advised; prudent, politic; expedient etc. 646.    ... show more

Roget 644: useful; of use etc. n.; serviceable, proficuous^†, good for; subservient etc. (instrumental) 631; conducive etc. (tending) 176; subsidiary etc. (helping) 707.    advantageous etc. (beneficial) 648; profitable, gainful, remunerative, worth one's salt; valuable; prolific etc. (productive) 168.    adequate; efficient, efficacious; effective, effectual; expedient etc. 646.    applicable, available, ready, handy, at hand, tangible; commodious, adaptable; of all work.    ... show more

Appropriate to a purpose; practical.