realpolitik
noun
re·al·po·li·tik
rā-ˈäl-ˌpō-li-ˌtēk 
variants
often 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
Ted Sarandos‘s White House visit today proved an exercise in real-time realpolitik for the Netflix co-CEO as Paramount won the multibillion-dollar bid for Warner Bros Discovery.
—
Dominic Patten, Deadline, 26 Feb. 2026
Finally, there is the realpolitik of the National Basketball Players Association and the collective bargaining agreement.
—John Hollinger, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2026
Reagan believed that although realpolitik might be pursued by other nations, the concept was alien to the United States.
—Peter Wehner, The Atlantic, 9 Jan. 2026
Trump’s implication was that this is a much more pragmatic, realpolitik regime-change transition, one with support from elements of the existing order.
—Washington Post, 5 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for realpolitik
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.
Dominic Patten, Deadline, 26 Feb. 2026
Finally, there is the realpolitik of the National Basketball Players Association and the collective bargaining agreement.
—John Hollinger, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2026
Reagan believed that although realpolitik might be pursued by other nations, the concept was alien to the United States.
—Peter Wehner, The Atlantic, 9 Jan. 2026
Trump’s implication was that this is a much more pragmatic, realpolitik regime-change transition, one with support from elements of the existing order.
—Washington Post, 5 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for realpolitik
Cite this Entry
“Realpolitik.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/realpolitik. Accessed 2 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
