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realpolitik

or Re·al·po·li·tik

[ rey-ahl-poh-li-teek, ree- ]
/ reɪˈɑlˌpoʊ lɪˌtik, ri- /
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noun
political realism or practical politics, especially policy based on power rather than on ideals.
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Origin of realpolitik

First recorded in 1910–15; from German, equivalent to real real1 + Politik “politics, policy”; see politic

OTHER WORDS FROM realpolitik

re·al·po·li·tik·er [rey-ahl-poh-lee-ti-ker, ree-], /reɪˈɑl poʊˌli tɪ kər, ri-/, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use realpolitik in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for realpolitik

realpolitik
/ (reɪˈɑːlpɒlɪˈtiːk) /

noun
a ruthlessly realistic and opportunist approach to statesmanship, rather than a moralistic one, esp as exemplified by Bismarck

Word Origin for realpolitik

C19: German: politics of realism
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

Cultural definitions for realpolitik

realpolitik
[ (ray-ahl-poh-li-teek) ]

Governmental policies based on hard, practical considerations rather than on moral or idealistic concerns. Realpolitik is German for “the politics of reality” and is often applied to the policies of nations that consider only their own interests in dealing with other countries.

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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