politic

[pol-i-tik]

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.

politic

/ 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

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of politic¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of politic¹

C15: from Old French politique, from Latin polīticus concerning civil administration, from Greek politikos, from politēs citizen, from polis city

Synonym Study

See diplomatic.

Example Sentences

None of this is healthy for the body politic, though at least both sides are finally being brutally honest about their raw partisanship.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

"The body politic of America was so Christian and was so Protestant that our form and structure of government was built for the people that believed in Christ our Lord," Kirk said in 2024.

Read more on BBC

In other words, what our body politic is facing today is not substantively new; it’s only perceptually new to those who’ve never before been subject to the whims of a place like Tallahassee.

Read more on Salon

The Epstein scandal may prove to be the tie that binds — or, to extend the metaphor, the first political bloodletting that has universal appeal since Nixon was expelled from the body politic.

Read more on Salon

We are affirmed in the knowledge that we are the body politic.

Read more on Los Angeles Times