impolitic
3
8.4
- adjective
- /ˌɪmˈpɒlɪtɪk/
- Formal
:
imprudente
- Out of consideration for the Catholic place in society, convert Orestes Brownson refused to speak about that war until 1847, at which point he condemned it as "uncalled for, impolitic, and unjust."
Examples
-
He really had had enough, but figured it would be impolitic and impolite to refuse.
Fiction book (1997) -
"That's so, young man, though it is impolitic of you to say so."
Fiction book (2001) -
But it seemed impolitic at the moment to explain his low expectations on that score.
Fiction book (1996) -
Masha'i had become controversial for his impolitic references to Israel and America.
Academic text (2010) -
What he said was not offensive to any thinking person; what it was, was impolitic and clearly damaging to Obama's political prospects.
Blog text (29) -
McChrystal, who was eventually fired this summer for making impolitic comments to a Rolling Stone reporter, had been on the job less than two months at that point.
Academic text (2010) -
... and of course that was a terrible thing to say, for Valeria's sake, and impolitic for my own, since I will probably apply to History PhD programs this year.
Blog text (7) -
Republican King County Council member Reagan Dunn is expected to run for AG as well, but it would be impolitic for him to declare until the current Republican AG.
Blog text (30) -
I worry that some of the angrier anonymous emails I get about my work might actually be fishing expeditions—attempts to get me to make an impolitic statement that could later be used against me.
Academic text (2016) -
Asking about someone's salary during a first meeting can be seen as quite impolitic.
Synonyms
9
7.6
Acting without care or good sense
1
7.0
Not careful about hurting other people's feelings in sensitive situations
Not showing good judgment when dealing with people or situations
Not careful about other people's feelings when you speak or act, making others feel bad
Antonyms
How Prudent
Surface Forms
Morphology
Etymology
Impolitic is made of im- 'not' and politic, which is the same root as the common word politics and once meant 'the city' or public life. So an impolitic action is 'not wise' in a public or social situation and shows poor judgment.