apolitical

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adjective apo·lit·i·cal \ ˌā-pə-ˈli-ti-kəl \

Definition of apolitical

1 :having no interest or involvement in political affairs; also :having an aversion to politics or political affairs

2 :having no political significance

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apolitically

play \-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

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apoliticism

play \-tə-ˌsi-zəm\ noun

See apolitical defined for English-language learners

Examples of apolitical in a Sentence

Although both of her parents are politicians, she's completely apolitical.

Recent Examples of apolitical from the Web

Taylor has been famously apolitical since the 2016 election, and has continued to stay quiet about Donald Trump—even in the wake of some of his most upsetting and offensive comments.

— mehera bonner, Marie Claire, "Hillary Clinton Just Declared Her Support for Taylor Swift in a Super Subtle Way," 16 Aug. 2017
To be sure, authorities in many places remain suspicious and unwelcoming of even the most apolitical activities.

— fred weir, The Christian Science Monitor, "Civil activism: Are Russians exiting the Soviet eclipse?," 7 Aug. 2017
Part of the reason the U.S. military is venerated by the American public is that they are considered apolitical.

— elliot kaufman, National Review, "Against John Kelly as White House Chief of Staff," 1 Aug. 2017
Rawls pushes back on perceptions that Gordy had been apolitical, wary of tying his label and its mainstream ambitions too closely to matters of civil rights and resistance.

— brian mccollum, Detroit Free Press, "July '67 altered the sound, sensibilities of Detroit musicians — and those yet to be born," 29 July 2017
Since Trump took office, the normally apolitical scientific community has risen up in opposition to his administration.

— rebecca nelson, Cosmopolitan, "These Scientists Are Running for Office to Fight Trump’s “Anti-Truth” Agenda," 22 June 2017
The president’s official event at Kirkwood was more apolitical, as Trump toured learning spaces for students in the community college’s agriculture program and touted his administration’s commitment to aid and support for rural America.

— jason noble, USA TODAY, "Trump rides high into Iowa stop after Congressional wins," 22 June 2017
The more complicated and interesting question, then, is why someone who prides himself on being apolitical became embroiled in a great political scandal.

— bethany mclean, The Hive, "The True Story of the Comey Letter Debacle," 19 June 2017
D&G have said that dressing the First Lady is apolitical.

— krystin arneson, Glamour, "We Interrupt Your Weekend for an Unexpected Instagram Feud Between Miley Cyrus and Stefano Gabbana," 18 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'apolitical.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of apolitical

1919

APOLITICAL Defined for English Language Learners

apolitical

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adjective

Definition of apolitical for English Language Learners

: not political : not interested or involved in politics

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APOLITICAL Defined for English Language Learners

apolitical

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