Standard Lemma guide

impolitic

adj · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • UK: /ɪmˈpɒ.lɪ.tɪk/
  • US: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • CMU ARPABET: IH2 M P AO0 L IH1 T IH2 K Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

adj

Meaning 1

Not in accordance with good policy.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: unwise, inexpedient, unadvisable

Antonyms: none provided

2

adjective

Meaning 2

not politic

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • an impolitic approach to a sensitive issue

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: politic

History

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *né Proto-Indo-European *n̥- Proto-Italic *n̥- Latin in-bor. Middle English in- English im- English politic English impolitic From im- + politic.

Across languages

Translations

6 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Bulgarian: нетактичен (netaktičen) — not in accordance with good policy
  • Dutch: onpolitiek — not in accordance with good policy
  • Dutch: onverstandig — not in accordance with good policy
  • Dutch: onoordeelkundig — not in accordance with good policy
  • French: impolitique — not in accordance with good policy
  • Manx: anchreeney — not in accordance with good policy