Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Prudent and tactful in action or speech: Describes behavior that is carefully considered to avoid giving offense or causing problems, often involving diplomacy and social skill.
   • Shrewdly expedient; judicious: Refers to decisions or actions that are wise from a practical standpoint, showing good judgment, especially in managing complex situations or people.

Usage

• As an adjective modifying a person: It describes someone who is discreet and adept at handling sensitive matters.
  • The ambassador was politic in her discussions, avoiding any statements that could escalate tensions.
• As an adjective modifying a decision, action, or statement: It describes something done with strategic wisdom and foresight.
  • It was a politic move to consult all stakeholders before announcing the change.

Examples

Advanced Usage

• "It is politic to...": A common structure used to state that a certain action is the wise or prudent course.
  • In this company, it is politic to acknowledge the contributions of the entire team.
• Comparative and Superlative Forms: "more politic," "most politic," "politicker," "politickest" (though less common).
  • The most politic response is often a simple, non-committal acknowledgment.

Variants and Related Words

• Politically (adverb): In a politic manner.
  • He answered the difficult question politically, without committing to a specific side.
• Politicize (verb): To make something a subject of political debate or interest. (Note: This is a related but distinct concept, often with a different connotation.)
• Political (adjective): Relating to the government or public affairs. (Note: This is a broader, more common term from the same root.)

Synonyms

• Diplomatic: Skilled in dealing with sensitive matters or people.
• Tactful: Having or showing skill and sensitivity in dealing with others or with difficult issues.
• Prudent: Acting with or showing care and thought for the future.
• Judicious: Having, showing, or done with good judgment or sense.
• Expedient: Convenient and practical, though possibly improper or immoral. (Note: This can be a near-synonym but often carries a more negative, self-serving connotation than "politic.")

Antonyms

• Impolitic: Not wise or prudent; injudicious.
  • His impolitic remarks cost him the support of key allies.
• Tactless: Lacking or showing a lack of what is fitting and considerate in dealing with others.
• Imprudent: Not showing care for the consequences of an action; rash.

Idioms and Phrases

• "A politic silence": Choosing not to speak on a matter because it is the wisest or safest course of action.
  • Faced with the scandal, the minister maintained a politic silence.
• "Body politic": (A related but distinct phrase) The people of a nation, state, or society considered as a collective political entity.
  • The new law has significant implications for the entire body politic.

Adjective

1. smoothly agreeable and courteous with a degree of sophistication
   • he was too politic to quarrel with so important a personage
   • the manager pacified the customer with a smooth apology for the error
2. marked by artful prudence, expedience, and shrewdness
   • it is neither polite nor politic to get into other people's quarrels
   • a politic decision
   • a politic manager
   • a politic old scoundrel
   • a shrewd and politic reply