realpolitik
Americannoun
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of realpolitik
First recorded in 1910–15; from German, equivalent to real real 1 + Politik “politics, policy”; see politic
Explanation
Realpolitik is a political system that's not based on beliefs, doctrines, ethics, or morals, but rather on realistic, practical ideas. Richard Nixon's diplomacy with China in the 1970's was an example of realpolitik. Realpolitik is put into practice when governments deal in straightforward, goal-oriented ways with other governments. Nixon's conversations with the communist Chinese government are such a good example of realpolitik because he felt diplomacy was important despite Americans' distrust of communism. The word realpolitik, coined in 1914, comes directly from German, in which it literally means "practical politics."
Vocabulary lists containing realpolitik
John McCain (1936 - 2018) Tribute List
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2015 Spelling Bee - Words from the Semifinals
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Chapters 24–25
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
He’s living up to a realpolitik maxim attributed to various Latin American caudillos: For my friends, everything; for my enemies, the law.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 9, 2026
Yesterday’s north star of global financial harmony has yielded to today’s realpolitik.
From Barron's • Mar. 4, 2026
Legitimate arguments could be made for rebooting U.S.–Saudi relations, on various realpolitik grounds.
From Slate • Nov. 20, 2025
In an email, Norman Ornstein, senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and a prominent pro-democracy voice, offered a dose of realpolitik.
From Salon • Aug. 14, 2025
It is a fine balancing act between the virtuous ideals of democracy and the harsh constraints of realpolitik.
From Terrorists and Freedom Fighters by Vaknin, Samuel
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
