politic

American  

[pol-i-tik] / ˈpɒl ɪ tɪk /

adjective

1. shrewd or prudent in practical matters; tactful; diplomatic.

   Synonyms:

   discreet, wary, astute

   Antonyms:

   tactless, indiscreet, imprudent

2. contrived in a shrewd and practical way; expedient.

   a politic reply.

3. political.

   the body politic.

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politic British  

/ ˈpɒlɪtɪk /

adjective

1. artful or shrewd; ingenious

   a politic manager

2. crafty or unscrupulous; cunning

   a politic old scoundrel

3. sagacious, wise, or prudent, esp in statesmanship

   a politic choice

4. an archaic word for political

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Related Words

See diplomatic.

Other Word Forms

• overpolitic adjective
• politicly adverb
• prepolitic adjective
• pseudopolitic adjective
• quasi-politic adjective

Etymology

Origin of politic

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English politik, from Middle French politique, from Latin polīticus, from Greek polītikós “civic,” from polī́t(ēs) “citizen” ( polity ) + -ikos -ic

Example Sentences

It was the most extreme expression of a wound to the body politic that has been allowed to fester.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 14, 2025

What hope of freedom was there unless Black Americans were accepted as full members of the body politic?

From Slate • Oct. 7, 2025

But political strategist and pollster Chris Bruni‑Lowe, who has written a book on the history of politic slogans, would advise against using Arise as the new party's name.

From BBC • Aug. 2, 2025

That’s what’s missing — a track to an alternative politic focused across ethnicity and race on issues of social class.

From Salon • Sep. 30, 2024

Through The Mecca I saw that we were, in our own segregated body politic, cosmopolitans.

From "Between the World and Me" by Ta-Nehisi Coates