realpolitik
Americannoun
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of realpolitik
First recorded in 1910–15; from German, equivalent to real real 1 + Politik “politics, policy”; see politic
Explanation
Realpolitik is a political system that's not based on beliefs, doctrines, ethics, or morals, but rather on realistic, practical ideas. Richard Nixon's diplomacy with China in the 1970's was an example of realpolitik. Realpolitik is put into practice when governments deal in straightforward, goal-oriented ways with other governments. Nixon's conversations with the communist Chinese government are such a good example of realpolitik because he felt diplomacy was important despite Americans' distrust of communism. The word realpolitik, coined in 1914, comes directly from German, in which it literally means "practical politics."
Vocabulary lists containing realpolitik
John McCain (1936 - 2018) Tribute List
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2015 Spelling Bee - Words from the Semifinals
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Chapters 24–25
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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.
He’s living up to a realpolitik maxim attributed to various Latin American caudillos: For my friends, everything; for my enemies, the law.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 9, 2026
Yesterday’s north star of global financial harmony has yielded to today’s realpolitik.
From Barron's ● Mar. 4, 2026
A moment of rejection and a resulting shift to realpolitik that the famed Victorian realist Hardy would have been proud of.
From BBC ● Apr. 23, 2025
At The Guardian, Margaret Sullivan emphasizes realpolitik and how Donald Trump’s “strongman pose” is working:
From Salon ● May 29, 2024
An inevitable result of the realpolitik of terrorism is the collaboration with the less savoury elements of society.
From Terrorists and Freedom Fighters by Samuel Vaknin
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.
