realpolitik
noun
re·al·po·li·tik
rā-ˈäl-ˌpō-li-ˌtēk 
often capitalized
: 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
Stalin apparently considered such realpolitik questions too sensitive for open conversation during the campaign.
—
Benn Steil, Foreign Affairs, 19 Mar. 2024
The present moment, when the boundary between identity politics and global realpolitik has become blurry, clarifies the novel’s stakes.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, The New Yorker, 15 Feb. 2024
But make no mistake: whether one cares about the future of democracy in Asia or prefers to ponder only the cold math of realpolitik, Taiwan’s fate matters.
—Andrew S. Erickson, Foreign Affairs, 16 Feb. 2024
The relationship also underscores the Emirates’ realpolitik foreign policy.
—TIME, 13 Feb. 2024
Still, there were moments of tension with critics who deplored Mr. Kissinger’s brand of realpolitik.
—Jacob Bernstein, New York Times, 2 Dec. 2023
Israeli ‘realpolitik’ In pictures: Ethnic Armenians flee Nagorno-Karabakh 1 of 28
Some in the international community are calling for action against Azerbaijan in the wake of the Armenian exodus from Karabakh.
—Max Saltman, CNN, 4 Oct. 2023
Many would also have wondered what Chinese threat demanded this illiberal realpolitik.
—G. John Ikenberry, Foreign Affairs, 11 Feb. 2022
Blamed for Cambodia’s fall Kissinger was a practitioner of realpolitik — using diplomacy to achieve practical objectives rather than advance lofty ideals.
—Nancy Benac, Fortune, 30 Nov. 2023
Benn Steil, Foreign Affairs, 19 Mar. 2024
The present moment, when the boundary between identity politics and global realpolitik has become blurry, clarifies the novel’s stakes.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, The New Yorker, 15 Feb. 2024
But make no mistake: whether one cares about the future of democracy in Asia or prefers to ponder only the cold math of realpolitik, Taiwan’s fate matters.
—Andrew S. Erickson, Foreign Affairs, 16 Feb. 2024
The relationship also underscores the Emirates’ realpolitik foreign policy.
—TIME, 13 Feb. 2024
Still, there were moments of tension with critics who deplored Mr. Kissinger’s brand of realpolitik.
—Jacob Bernstein, New York Times, 2 Dec. 2023
Israeli ‘realpolitik’ In pictures: Ethnic Armenians flee Nagorno-Karabakh 1 of 28
Some in the international community are calling for action against Azerbaijan in the wake of the Armenian exodus from Karabakh.
—Max Saltman, CNN, 4 Oct. 2023
Many would also have wondered what Chinese threat demanded this illiberal realpolitik.
—G. John Ikenberry, Foreign Affairs, 11 Feb. 2022
Blamed for Cambodia’s fall Kissinger was a practitioner of realpolitik — using diplomacy to achieve practical objectives rather than advance lofty ideals.
—Nancy Benac, Fortune, 30 Nov. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'realpolitik.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Realpolitik.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/realpolitik. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
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