politically
B2Pronunciation
UK
- /pəlˈɪtɪkli/
US
- /ˈplɪtɪkli/
- /pəˈlɪtɪkəli/
Description
- In terms of government
- From a public affairs viewpoint
- In a way shaped by power
- In a way linked to policy
"Politically" means in a way that relates to government, public decisions, power, or policy. It is often used when we talk about what matters in public life, not just what happens in elections. A country can be politically stable or politically divided. A decision can be politically risky if it may upset voters, leaders, or groups with influence. A subject can be politically sensitive if people strongly disagree about it.
Think of it this way: when something matters because of government, power, or public opinion, it matters politically. A new tax plan may be politically important. A school change may be politically difficult. A leader may respond politically, thinking not only about what is right, but also about support, pressure, and consequences.
The word "politically" is an adverb. It shows that something is being viewed, judged, or done in relation to government, policy, public power, or group interests. It often answers the question "in what way?" A leader may speak politically, a policy may fail politically, or a region may be described as politically divided. In each case, the idea is not simply that politics exists in the background, but that it directly shapes what is happening.
At its most basic, the word points to public life and government. If a country is politically stable, its system of leadership is steady and unlikely to face sudden disruption. If a reform is politically impossible, the main problem is not practical detail but lack of support, too much opposition, or the risk it creates for those in power. In this sense, the word often appears with adjectives such as "important," "dangerous," "sensitive," "active," "powerful," or "weak."
It is also used when people think strategically about power, support, and public reaction. Someone who acts politically may be trying to protect their position, avoid conflict, gain allies, or make a choice that will be accepted by the right people. This use can be neutral, but it can also suggest caution, calculation, or self-interest, depending on the context. For example, a manager might avoid a direct answer politically, meaning they are thinking about office relationships as much as the issue itself.
The word appears in many common phrases, such as "politically motivated," "politically active," "politically neutral," "politically correct," and "politically charged." In these phrases, it helps explain the angle from which something is understood: power, ideology, public image, or social pressure. Overall, "politically" signals that a subject is connected to the world of government and public influence, or that it is being handled with those pressures in mind.
Examples
- 1
Civic involvement
She became politically active in college.
- 2
Election aftermath
The country is still politically divided after the election.
- 3
Workplace neutrality
He tries to stay politically neutral at work.
- 4
Budget decision
The decision was politically risky, but it helped solve the budget problem.
- 5
Public report
The report was not politically motivated; it was based on safety concerns.
Phrase
politically motivated
done for political reasons
- 6
Social sensitivity
Be careful with that joke; it may not sound politically correct.
Phrase
politically correct
careful not to offend groups of people
- 7
Public support
Politically, the plan helped the mayor, but many residents still disliked it.
Pattern
Politically, + clause
considering its effect on politics or public support
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- politicallyadverb