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political

political

2.9
About government and public issues that affect people
  • adjective
  • /pəˈlɪtɪkəl/
translation icon : político
  • Who doesn't know that political ads are full of spin?
  • a political party
  • the political system
  • a political issue

They're tied to their political candidate and party.

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Examples

  • We just haven't had the political will to implement.

  • OK, This is the kind of political content that I like.

  • And it's been kind of a political issue issue in India.

  • May end up winning a political election though.

  • These were largely associated with the political left, why?

  • It's just a simple matter of political will to do it.

  • I have the same political beliefs as my parents.

  • I feel as if I'm at some American political convention.

  • Finally, many countries lack the resources, institutions, or political will to implement such policies.

    Academic text (2011)
  • The politician discussed her political views during the debate last night.

Synonyms

governmental
vspolitical
88 3.6

Relating to public bodies that run a country or city

is about public affairs and issues that affect society more broadly

Antonyms

4 3.6

Not about government or public life

Compounds

204 2.7

A group of people with the same political ideas who try to win elections

The people, groups, and laws that govern a country

A person in a high position in government or a political party who makes important decisions

Organized actions by a candidate or party to get votes and win an election

A person put in jail for their political beliefs or actions

political science
  • Specialized
49 3.3

The study of governments, leaders, and how they make decisions

political scientist
  • Specialized
29 3.7

A person who studies government and how people and groups make decisions about power

Avoiding language or behaviour that could offend groups of people

27 3.0

An organized discussion where people argue about government or public issues

A general mood and opinions about politics in a place

A group of people who work together to change laws or government policy

A group that raises and spends money to support political candidates or causes

The state of government, parties, and power in a country or region

The world of politics where people debate and compete for power

The time when a country's leaders, laws and policies become different after elections or protests

Money people give to a candidate, party or campaign to help in an election

A set of careful actions people use to gain power in politics

political rhetoric
  • Literature
8 7.1

Words used to persuade people about government or policies

A group that controls a political party and keeps power by giving favors

political turmoil
  • Literature
7 5.1

A time when a country's government is unstable and many people protest

political economy
  • Specialized
6 5.3

Study of how governments and policies affect making, sharing, and using things and services

Part of public life where people discuss and make decisions about government

political theory
  • Specialized
5 5.1

A set of ideas about how a country or society should be governed

A group of people who take part in government or party work and share similar views

A person who openly opposes their government or its policies

A country or state that has its own government and laws

Money given to a politician, campaign or party to support them

political hack
  • Offensive
3 8.6

A politician who works for their party or friends to benefit themselves

A document that lists the main goals and beliefs of a party or candidate

A written plan that says what a party or candidate will do if elected

An area with its own government and rules, like a country or city

A powerful party leader who controls votes and gives government jobs

Teaching people about politics and how government works

A person who authorities hold because of political beliefs or actions

1 5.3

Freedom to take part in government and to use rights protected by law

A person or group's beliefs about government and public issues and the side they support

political quagmire
  • Literature
1 8.1

A difficult political situation where people cannot agree or act

An official from the Communist Party who checks a military unit's loyalty

A major book by Karl Marx about how capitalism works

A way of avoiding words and actions that hurt or leave out people treated unfairly

A line showing different opinions about government, from left to right

7.5

To use words or actions that offend people who face unfair treatment

Feelings and opinions about politics that show which side someone supports

A connection between people or groups about who has power and influence

9.3

A person in an organisation who forces others to follow a political idea, often used as an insult

A political situation where one party controls government and limits choices for voters

A place where political debates and events happen often and feel lively

How Political

partisan
363 6.7
political
2.9
neutral
218 3.6
apolitical
12 5.9

Surface Forms

political positive

Morphology

political = politic (transparent) = politic + al

The adjective is transparently formed by adding the productive suffix '-al' to 'politic', yielding 'relating to politics or government'.

Etymology

Political comes from an old Greek word polis meaning 'city' and is the same root behind politics. So political originally meant things about city life and the people who run it, which is why today it means relating to government or public affairs.