politicking

[pol-i-tik-ing]

See more synonyms for politicking on Thesaurus.com

noun

activity undertaken for political reasons or ends, as campaigning for votes before an election, making speeches, etc., or otherwise promoting oneself or one's policies.

Origin of politicking

1925–30; politic (as v.) + -ing¹, respelling to show non-assibilation of -c-

Related formsnon·pol·i·tick·ing, noun

politick

[pol-i-tik]

verb (used without object)

to engage in politicking.

verb (used with object)

to influence, accomplish, or promote by politicking: Somehow he politicked the bill through both houses of Congress.

Origin of politick

1915–20; earlier politic, verbal derivative of politic; later as back formation from politicking

Related formsout·pol·i·tick, verb (used with object)

Can be confusedpoliticize politick

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for politicking

urge, request, push, persuade, solicit, press, promote, sway, politick, constrain, compel, insist, race, compete, stand, stump, lobby, barnstorm, pitch, influence

Examples from the Web for politicking

Contemporary Examples of politicking

But true to form in this drawn out debate, what we are witnessing is a lot of politicking over what is fundamentally a non-issue.
Keystone Pipeline Is D.C.’s Dumbest Debate
Claire Casey
May 12, 2014
The ads are not intended to be political, he said, and awareness more than politicking and persuasion is the objective.
Will the Celebrity-Backed Push for Obamacare Enrollment Work?
Nina Strochlic
October 1, 2013
After Tiller is largely devoid of politicking, instead choosing to simply follow the four doctors about their business.
‘After Tiller’ Profiles Last Four U.S. Doctors Who Do Late-Term Abortions
Marlow Stern
July 5, 2013
Is Xi Jinping –and the Party at large—embracing American-style politicking?
China’s Glamorous First Lady Peng Liyuan Saving the Communist Party With Song
Eveline Chao
March 16, 2013
Lieberman views Yisrael Beiteinu the same way—as a personal vehicle for politicking.
Yisrael Beiteinu Without Lieberman?
Brent E. Sasley
December 14, 2012

Historical Examples of politicking

It couldn't have mattered to him what environment we used, but he was politicking where he shouldn't.
Question of Comfort
Les Collins

British Dictionary definitions for politicking

politicking

noun

political activity, esp seeking votes
activity directed towards acquiring power and influence, achieving one's own goals, etc

Derived Formspoliticker, noun

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

Word Origin and History for politicking

1928, from present participle of politic (v.). For the -k-, see picnic.