realpolitik

noun, often capitalized 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

See realpolitik defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of realpolitik from the Web

Both Petraeus and Crocker seemed caught by surprise by this realpolitik reckoning, and Obama received kudos in the media for his smarts.

— Newsweek, "Analysis," 14 Mar. 2018
Note of realpolitik Egypt, Jordan, and Afghanistan are all major recipients of US assistance, and all voted for the resolution condemning the United States.

— howard lafranchi, The Christian Science Monitor, "In overwhelming UN vote on Jerusalem, a reality test for Trump's tough talk," 23 Dec. 2017
And Schlesinger quickly became an isolated figure in J.F.K.’s White House, unable to supplant Theodore Sorensen as lead speechwriter and uncomfortable with the reigning ethos of realpolitik in foreign affairs.

— michael kazin, New York Times, "A Liberal Historian’s Imprint on Mid-Century America," 2 Nov. 2017
In the world of realpolitik, some powers may value their ties with Burma more than those with Bangladesh and choose to look aside as the Burmese government carries out crimes against humanity.

— kazi nabil ahmed, WSJ, "Bangladesh’s Borders Are Open to Burma’s Rohingya Refugees," 21 Sep. 2017
During this period, the party demonstrated a skill for realpolitik that Debs and Thomas were incapable of.

— jeet heer, New Republic, "Sibling Rivalry," 18 Oct. 2017
Kurdish leaders are well aware that realpolitik, not ideals, will determine the success of their independence bid, said Morgan L. Kaplan, a political scientist who studies the Kurdish independence movement.

— max fisher and amanda taub, New York Times, "Catalans and Kurds Discover the Hard Truth About Secession," 29 Sep. 2017
Nor was this a story limited to the realpolitik of the elite.

— jerry brotton, The Atlantic, "The First Brexit Was Theological," 13 Sep. 2017
Meanwhile, those who had hoped to drive out Assad see a bleak realpolitik playing out among countries that the opposition counted as backers.

— nabih bulos, chicagotribune.com, "'Assad’s government has won the war.' So what happens next?," 2 Sep. 2017

These 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.