re·al·po·li·tik
| \ rā-ˈäl-ˌpō-li-ˌtēk
\
\
Definition of realpolitik
: 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
But that kind of nihilistic realpolitik is no match for the emotions such agents traffic in. — Josephine Livingstone, The New Republic, "The Family’s Big Secret Is Hiding in Plain Sight," 14 Aug. 2019 By Daniel Silva In this absorbing exercise in literary chutzpah, Silva brings his Israeli spymaster Gabriel Allon back again for more bloodletting and realpolitik chicanery on behalf of Israel and the Western Alliance. — Richard Lipez, Washington Post, "Looking for a summer thriller? Here are 9 picks for your beach bag.," 20 June 2019 The best example of Europe’s new taste for realpolitik was the deal on migration with Mr Erdogan. — The Economist, "The EU’s relationship with Turkey is failing," 25 July 2019 In this absorbing exercise in literary chutzpah, Silva brings his Israeli spymaster Gabriel Allon back again for more bloodletting and realpolitik chicanery on behalf of Israel and the Western Alliance. — Richard Lipez, Washington Post, "Looking for a summer thriller? Here are 9 picks for your beach bag.," 20 June 2019 There are lots of reasons for the new Greek realpolitik, besides learning from the vulnerability of its past dependencies. — Victor Davis Hanson, The Mercury News, "Hanson: Greece finds new footing as a player on the world stage," 6 June 2019 And the presidents of the past have always tried to figure out the balance between the realpolitik and our strategic interest. — Eric Johnson, Recode, "Silicon Valley’s Saudi money crisis illustrates a decline of ‘moral leadership’ in America," 19 Oct. 2018 But traditionally this realpolitik has been combined with efforts to bring non-nuclear powers into accord with the international non-proliferation regime, as with the Iran deal. — Jeet Heer, The New Republic, "Is This the Dawn of a New Era of Nuclear Proliferation?," 15 May 2018 In private, Kremlin insiders say that Moscow prefers dealing with Republican presidents, who ordinarily prize realpolitik above liberal democratic values. — Anna Arutunyan, Time, "No Matter What Happens in Helsinki, Putin Has Already Won," 10 July 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'realpolitik.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
More Definitions for realpolitik
realpolitik
noun
English Language Learners Definition of realpolitik
: a system of politics based on a country's situation and its needs rather than on ideas about what is morally right and wrong
See the full definition for realpolitik in the English Language Learners Dictionary