realpolitik

noun

re·​al·​po·​li·​tik rā-ˈäl-ˌpō-li-ˌtēk How to pronounce realpolitik (audio)
often capitalized
: politics based on practical and material factors rather than on theoretical or ethical objectives

Examples of realpolitik in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This stroke of realpolitik would leave ByteDance in a tricky spot. Emily Baker-White, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024 Lorne’s generous with telling you the black arts of it, the realpolitik of how things get made, the pragmatism. Jesse David Fox, Vulture, 4 Dec. 2024 Nevertheless, many in Ukraine have displayed a determined — if perhaps grim — realpolitik at the man holding the purse strings of their military rearguard action. Alexander Smith, NBC News, 6 Nov. 2024 The stakes couldn’t be higher and hinge on the deft balancing of realpolitik. Charlie Campbell / Yerevan, TIME, 22 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for realpolitik 

Word History

Etymology

German, from real actual + Politik politics

First Known Use

1895, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of realpolitik was in 1895

Dictionary Entries Near realpolitik

Cite this Entry

“Realpolitik.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/realpolitik. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

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