politically correct

adjective

: conforming to a belief that language and practices which could offend political sensibilities (as in matters of sex or race) should be eliminated
political correctness noun

Examples of politically correct in a Sentence

He later realized that his response was not politically correct.
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.
Artists of color have long felt pressure to capitalize on the most marginal aspects of their biographies, as white critics (most critics) have remained eager to dismiss those who address race or colonialism in their work as politically correct or identity obsessed. Madeline Leung Coleman, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2025 Violent effect, not politically correct. Rebecca Schneid, Time, 6 Sep. 2025 Violent effect, not politically correct. Joey Garrison, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025 The politically correct fun police of the American left of that era were a backlash against the wild era of hippies and yippies in which Baby Boomers like the Clintons had come of age. Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 22 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for politically correct

Word History

First Known Use

1934, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of politically correct was in 1934

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Politically correct.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/politically%20correct. Accessed 1 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

politically correct

adjective
: following the belief that language and practices which could offend political sensibilities (as in matters of sex or race) should be eliminated
political correctness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on politically correct

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!