expendable

[ɪkˈspɛndəbəl]

expendable Definition

  • 1of little significance when compared to an overall purpose, and therefore able to be abandoned or destroyed
  • 2able to be used up and then discarded or replaced

Using expendable: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "expendable" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

  • Example

    The expendable parts of the machine were replaced regularly.

  • Example

    The company considered the workers to be expendable.

  • Example

    The mission was deemed too dangerous to risk any non-expendable personnel.

  • Example

    The budget for the project was cut, and some of the research became expendable.

expendable Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for expendable

Antonyms for expendable

Phrases with expendable

  • income remaining after a person has paid taxes and necessities

    Example

    With their mortgage paid off, they had more expendable income to spend on travel.

  • supplies that are not essential and can be used up without affecting the outcome of a task

    Example

    The team brought expendable supplies like extra batteries and duct tape on their camping trip.

  • expendable resources

    resources that can be used up without affecting the overall outcome of a project

    Example

    The company allocated expendable resources like paper and ink for the interns to use.

Origins of expendable

from Latin 'expendere', meaning 'to weigh out'

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Summary: expendable in Brief

The term 'expendable' [ɪkˈspɛndəbəl] refers to something of little significance when compared to an overall purpose, and therefore able to be abandoned or destroyed. It can also mean something able to be used up and then discarded or replaced. Examples include 'The expendable parts of the machine were replaced regularly.' and 'The budget for the project was cut, and some of the research became expendable.'