politician [pol-i-tish -uh n]
Synonyms Examples Word Origin
See more synonyms for politician on Thesaurus.com a person who is active in party politics . a seeker or holder of public office, who is more concerned about winning favor or retaining power than about maintaining principles. a person who holds a political office. a person skilled in political government or administration; statesman or stateswoman. an expert in politics or political government. a person who seeks to gain power or advancement within an organization in ways that are generally disapproved. Show More
Origin of politician From the
French word
politicien, dating back to
1580–90. See
politic ,
-ian Related forms non·pol·i·ti·cian , noun self-pol·i·ti·cian , noun Synonyms for politician See more synonyms for 4 . Politician, statesman refer to one skilled in politics. These terms differ particularly in their connotations; politician is more often derogatory, and statesman laudatory. Politician suggests the schemes and devices of a person who engages in (especially small) politics for party ends or for one's own advantage: a dishonest politician. Statesman suggests the eminent ability, foresight, and unselfish patriotic devotion of a person dealing with (especially important or great) affairs of state: a distinguished statesman.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words for politician lawmaker ,
senator ,
leader ,
legislator ,
officeholder ,
partisan ,
boss ,
speaker ,
orator ,
president ,
chieftain ,
grandstander ,
democrat ,
republican ,
congressperson ,
handshaker Examples from the Web for politician Contemporary Examples of politician They are model citizens, the kind of people whose lives might be used as exemplary stories by a politician in a stump speech.
Which politician wants to defend federally-subsidized abortions for convicted criminals?
He reiterated the statements “I am not a politician ” and “I am not a political advisor” so often that it seemed like a verbal tic.
“François Hollande never said a word out of line to me or behaved inappropriately with me—unlike many a politician ,” she writes.
A politician or pundit screws up on one, and is made fun of on the other.
Historical Examples of politician Mr. John Lambert was a millionnaire, a politician , and a widower.
She was, besides being a gamester and a politician —what do you think?
The politician for whom the voter had voted got in by five hundred and fifty-five votes.
The politician solemnly pointed downwards with his forefinger.
His name was Fleming, and he claimed to be a New York politician .
British Dictionary definitions for politician a person actively engaged in politics, esp a full-time professional member of a deliberative assembly a person who is experienced or skilled in the art or science of politics, government, or administration; statesman derogatory , mainly US a person who engages in politics out of a wish for personal gain, as realized by holding a public office Show More
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for politician n. 1580s, "person skilled in politics," from politics + -ian . It quickly took on overtones, not typically good ones. Johnson defines it as "A man of artifice; one of deep contrivance."
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
