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Synonyms

geopolitics

American  
[jee-oh-pol-i-tiks] / ˌdʒi oʊˈpɒl ɪ tɪks /

noun

(used with a singular verb)

  1. the study or the application of the influence of political and economic geography on the politics, national power, foreign policy, etc., of a state.

  2. the combination of geographic and political factors influencing or delineating a country or region.

  3. a national policy based on the interrelation of politics and geography.

  4. a Nazi doctrine that a combination of political, geographic, historical, racial, and economic factors substantiated Germany's right to expand its borders and control various strategic land masses and natural resources.

geopolitics British  
/ ˌdʒiːəʊˈpɒlɪtɪks /

noun

  1. (functioning as singular) the study of the effect of geographical factors on politics, esp international politics; political geography

  2. (functioning as plural) the combination of geographical and political factors affecting a country or area

  3. (functioning as plural) politics as they affect the whole world; global politics

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • geopolitic adjective
  • geopolitical adjective
  • geopolitically adverb
  • geopolitician noun
  • geopolitist noun

Etymology

Origin of geopolitics

1900–05; translation of German Geopolitik. See geo-, politics

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.

The metal's impact on geopolitics is already being noted in real time.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

Given rising oil prices and geopolitics, the subscriber reporting changes aren’t front of mind for investors now, he believes.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 2, 2026

The film also loosely draws on real South Asian flashpoints - from Pakistan's 'Operation Lyari' to India's demonetisation - blending geopolitics into its storyline.

From BBC • Mar. 24, 2026

Bullion’s rise in previous months shows investors were wary of geopolitics, suggests Morgan Stanley strategist Mike Wilson.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 23, 2026

Nor is it my job to explain the geopolitics of countries you keep hearing about in the news or to defend a peaceful religion practiced by one-point-six billion people.

From "Here to Stay" by Sara Farizan

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.