politically incorrect

American  

[puh-lit-ik-lee in-kuh-rekt] / pəˈlɪt ɪk li ˌɪn kəˈrɛkt /

adjective

1. not politically correct; potentially offensive to a particular group of people.

   politically incorrect jokes.

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Other Word Forms

• political incorrectness noun

Etymology

Origin of politically incorrect

1875–80 (in the sense “mocking convention”); 1975–80 for the more recent meaning, which evolved from earlier Communist uses in the 1920s

Example Sentences

Greg, clueless about just how politically incorrect he can be without even trying, gets chastised several times, though the circumstances are deliberately exaggerated.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 5, 2026

Encouraged to reveal themselves “authentically,” stars can find themselves prodded by fans to comment on current events and excoriated when they refuse or respond in a way that certain followers consider insincere or politically incorrect.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 8, 2025

Its editors are proudly politically incorrect, and some articles seem rather, well, dated.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 29, 2024

His dark-humoured, politically incorrect, quickfire rhyming style brought something new to the game, and he went on to play a version of himself in the rap battle movie 8 Mile.

From BBC • Aug. 10, 2023

My people tell me, “Sir, that’s politically incorrect to say.”

From New York Times • Nov. 16, 2022