politic

adjective

ˈpä-lə-ˌtik How to pronounce politic (audio)
Definition of politicnext
1
as in diplomatic
having or showing tact the actor is politic in discussing the aborted film project, being content to say that there were "creative differences"

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in prudent
suitable for bringing about a desired result under the circumstances it probably would not be politic to tell your boss that his latest idea is the worst thing you've ever heard

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word politic different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of politic are bland, diplomatic, smooth, suave, and urbane. While all these words mean "pleasantly tactful and well-mannered," politic implies shrewd as well as tactful and suave handling of people.

a cunningly politic manager

When could bland be used to replace politic?

The synonyms bland and politic are sometimes interchangeable, but bland emphasizes mildness of manner and absence of irritating qualities.

a bland master of ceremonies

When is diplomatic a more appropriate choice than politic?

While the synonyms diplomatic and politic are close in meaning, diplomatic stresses an ability to deal with ticklish situations tactfully.

a diplomatic negotiator

When might smooth be a better fit than politic?

The words smooth and politic are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, smooth suggests often a deliberately assumed suavity.

a smooth salesman

When can suave be used instead of politic?

In some situations, the words suave and politic are roughly equivalent. However, suave suggests a specific ability to deal with others easily and without friction.

a suave public relations coordinator

When is it sensible to use urbane instead of politic?

While in some cases nearly identical to politic, urbane implies high cultivation and poise coming from wide social experience.

an urbane traveler

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of politic Fox News is not exactly known for their nuanced (or accurate) takes on politic discourse. — refinery29.com, 13 Aug. 2020 Again, the park ranger pondered the most politic response. — Jesse Ashlock, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Mar. 2022 For his part, Márki-Zay didn’t give the most politic concession speech. — John Fund, National Review, 5 Apr. 2022 But some of those friends were decidedly less politic when contacted by a reporter. — New York Times, 16 Oct. 2021 See All Example Sentences for politic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for politic
  1. diplomatic
  2. prudent
  3. polite
  4. tactical
  5. respectful
  6. wise
  7. tactful
  8. desirable
Adjective
  • In his speech on the webinar that caused Rubio's outrage on Friday, the ambassador said South Africa needed to be cautious and diplomatic in dealing with Trump's administration.
    — Michele Kelemen, NPR, 15 Mar. 2025
  • Later that year, university students overran the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, seeking the shah’s extradition and sparking the 444-day hostage crisis that saw diplomatic relations between Iran and the U.S. severed.
    — Jon Gambrell, Los Angeles Times, 14 Mar. 2025
Definition of diplomatic
Adjective
  • What are the climate risks confronting prudent fiduciaries?
    — Marianne Krasny, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025
  • But their move to limit the exposure of the man with a license to kill may have proved prudent, considering that the ubiquity of über-brands like Disney’s Marvel and Lucasfilm sparked audience fatigue and prompted a pullback on output.
    — Tatiana Siegel, Variety, 26 Feb. 2025
Definition of prudent
Adjective
  • Despite their polite and understated personalities, the Japanese can’t dim their enthusiasm for baseball’s brightest star.
    — Jay Paris, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025
  • This said, the movers were very polite and respectful and removed all of the excess packing.
    — Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of polite
Adjective
  • They’re required to see the race from inside the car (immersed in the on-track action), but also from the pits (making tactical adjustments) and from the operations center (where analysts interpret vast streams of data).
    — John Cairney, Sportico.com, 22 Mar. 2025
  • In contrast, Barca and Atleti have recognizable tactical strategies.
    — Brett Koremenos, The Athletic, 21 Mar. 2025
Definition of tactical
Adjective
  • Between the lines: Other prominent liberals have ventured into the belly of the beast with a different mindset — engage in fierce but respectful debate with the goal of publicly exposing MAGA's flaws.
    — Zachary Basu, Axios, 14 Mar. 2025
  • Linus O’Brien gives that chapter of the story a respectful 20 minutes, with lots of rambunctious footage and a sweet acknowledgment of Sal Piro, one of the earliest and most influential superfans, who died in 2023.
    — Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Mar. 2025
Definition of respectful
Adjective
  • Here, Forbes Coaches Council members share wise strategies for tactfully and strategically highlighting your contributions at work.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025
  • Speaking of family, Nivola’s parents gave him some wise advice.
    — Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 16 Mar. 2025
Definition of wise
Adjective
  • Written by Celia Marks and a team of editors at Southern Living Magazine, the party cookbook is brimming with sensible, tactful advice about issuing invitations, entertaining in limited spaces and seating arrangements.
    — Rai Mincey, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024
  • All right, is this the first tactful move Danielle has made all season?
    — Tom Smyth, Vulture, 27 Feb. 2025
Definition of tactful
Adjective
  • However, if history is any guide, Apple has a knack for solving these technical challenges and crafting a narrative that makes its products desirable, even necessary.
    — Tim Bajarin, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
  • Located in the heart of Hartford’s West End, which is arguably one of the city’s most desirable neighborhoods, the home at 55 Terry Road is exceptional.
    — James Alexander, Hartford Courant, 9 Mar. 2025
Definition of desirable

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Cite this Entry

“Politic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/politic. Accessed 26 Mar. 2025.

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