politically incorrect

[puh-lit-ik-lee in-kuh-rekt]

adjective

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

   politically incorrect jokes.

Other Word Forms

• political incorrectness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of politically incorrect¹

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

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

Here, Trump and his advisors have decided that racism and other “politically incorrect behavior” will be a net gain because Trump’s followers and other potential voters will respond positively to it.

From Salon

The erotic mind is often politically incorrect, meaning it doesn’t abide by the rules of good citizenship that you yourself abide by in the rest of your life.

From Los Angeles Times

Madonna acknowledged at a recent concert that it was “politically incorrect” to urge a fan using a wheelchair to stand up.

From Los Angeles Times

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

From Seattle Times