US /ɪmˈpɑː.lə.tɪk/ UK /ɪmˈpɒl.ɪ.tɪk/
adj Freq #133121

Meanings

  1. 1
    adj

    unwise or tactless because likely to cause offense or practical difficulty

    It would be impolitic to announce the tax increase before consulting local leaders.

Thesaurus

Synonyms
1 adj · unwise or tactless because... injudiciousimprudentinexpedienttactless
More ill-advised
Word family
Related forms politicimpolicy

Etymology

Formed from im-, 'not,' and politic in its older sense 'prudent or expedient.' The word therefore describes conduct that is poorly judged as policy, not conduct that is merely impolite.

Topics

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