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Disposable vs Expendable - What's the difference?

disposable | expendable | Synonyms |

Expendable is a synonym of disposable.



As nouns the difference between disposable and expendable

is that disposable is any object that is designed to be disposed of rather than refilled or repaired while expendable is an expendable person or object; usually used in the plural.

As adjectives the difference between disposable and expendable

is that disposable is that can be disposed of while expendable is able to be expended; not inexhaustible.

disposable

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • Any object that is designed to be disposed of rather than refilled or repaired.
  • * 2010 , Kathleen Huggins, The Expectant Parents' Companion (page 88)
    • Parents who use cloth diapers often use disposables for travel, nights, or both.

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • That can be disposed of.
  • That is designed to be discarded rather than refilled or repaired.
    • Rather than purchase an expensive razor he bought a packet of cheap disposable ones.
  • Available to be used.

    • Antonyms

    * non-disposable, nondisposable, undisposable, indisposable

    Derived terms

    * disposability * disposable income * disposableness * disposably

    External links

    * (wikipedia "disposable")

    expendable

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Able to be expended; not inexhaustible.
    • Oil and other expendable resources are frequently the subject of military disputes.
  • Designed for a single use; not reusable.
    • The anti-aircraft rocket is fired from an expendable launch platform.
  • Not essential or mandatory in order to achieve a goal.
    • The research department was deemed expendable , and its funding was not renewed.
  • That which is regarded as not worth preserving or saving; able to be sacrificed.
    • In the internecine rivalries of large corporations, whole departments may become expendable in the execution of one executive's power play.

    Synonyms

    * (not inexhaustible ): exhaustible, finite, limited * (not reusable ): dispensable, disposable, throwaway * (not essential or mandatory ): adjunct, dispensable, redundant, superfluous * (not worth saving or preserving ): collateral, inconsiderable, sacrificable, worthless

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • An expendable person or object; usually used in the plural.
    • Private Johnson was afraid the Lieutenant considered him an expendable , since he was always picked as point man.

    Derived terms

    * expendability * expendably