political
- 01 B1 Intermediate
adj.relating to the government, elections, and the way a country is run.
adj.relating to the government, public affairs, or the state's administrative and legislative processes.
Simple“The two parties have very different political views on how to improve the economy.”
In context“The candidate's political platform focused heavily on healthcare reform and environmental protections to appeal to younger voters.”
Synonyms - 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
adj.relating to the way people use power and influence within a group or organization.
adj.relating to the internal power structures, influence, and status within a social or professional environment.
Simple“Getting a promotion at this company is often a political process.”
In context“Navigating the political landscape of a large corporation requires a keen understanding of who holds the actual decision-making power.”
Synonyms - 03 B1 Intermediate
adj.having a strong interest in government and social issues.
adj.actively engaged in or concerned with the theories and practice of politics.
Simple“She became very political after she started university and joined several protest groups.”
In context“The documentary aims to make the audience more political by highlighting systemic inequalities in the justice system.”
Antonyms - 04 C1 Advanced
adj.done for the purpose of gaining power or winning an election rather than for the right reasons.
adj.motivated by partisan interests or electoral calculation rather than principle.
Simple“Critics said the decision to lower taxes just before the election was purely political.”
In context“The appointment was widely seen as a political move designed to appease the more radical wing of the coalition government.”
Synonyms - 05 C1 Advanced
n.a person who is put in prison because of their government-related beliefs or activities.
n.a person imprisoned for their opposition to or criticism of a government.
Simple“The international community called for the release of all politicals held by the regime.”
In context“Human rights organisations documented the treatment of politicals held in high-security facilities without trial.”
UsageOften used in the plural or as part of the phrase 'political prisoner'.
Synonyms
political vs politic — Politic describes a wise or tactful decision, while political describes anything related to government or power structures.
Usage political party · political parties · political influence
From politic + -al.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.