Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • adjective Not wise or expedient; not politic.

from The Century Dictionary.

  • Not politic; not conforming to or in accordance with good policy; inexpedient; injudicious: as, an impolitic ruler, law, or measure.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • adjective Not politic; contrary to, or wanting in, policy; unwise; imprudent; indiscreet; inexpedient.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • adjective Not in accordance with good policy; unwise, inexpedient; unadvisable.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • adjective not politic

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

From im- +‎ politic.

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Examples

  • The word impolitic has appeared in 20 New York Times articles in the past year, including on June 10 in "A Diplomat, He Isn't: Prince Philip's Tongue Remains Sharp as Ever," by Sarah Lyall:

    NYT > Home Page By THE LEARNING NETWORK 2011

  • Our Pres. could crudely tell the allied PM to sit on a peg and rotate and not break any laws, but that would be what they call "impolitic" in the diplomatic game.

    Obama Hits McCain Over Zapatero Gaffe, Compares Him To Cheney 2009

  • One thing which worries me is that any recognition for the S.S.P.X would be 'impolitic' so soon before the arrival of that twerp who now claims to be U.S. president.

    The Journeys of the Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer 2009

  • It may habe been "impolitic" to the readers of the Groan and the listeners to the Today programme, but not so long ago Lilley told an assembled group (of which I was a part) that following his pronouncements on welfare, many ordinary people came up to him in person (in the street, on the bus, etc.) to say that they agreed ...

    RAGE RAGE RAGE Newmania 2007

  • Bald or candid statements are usually unwise, or "impolitic," which is why politicians tend to avoid them, knowing that they may be falsified by events.

    The New Republic - All Feed 2010

  • [The political pragmatists '] thesis here is straightforward-and it matches the theses of many of those (including the White House and the Corner's Ramesh Ponnuru) who've taken Bennett to task for his "impolitic" remarks.

    protein wisdom 2009

  • Re Hunter S. Thompson, it's interesting to hear from those here who claim that a harsh tone is "impolitic" say that they respect Dr. Gonzo.

    BlueOregon 2009

  • Re Hunter S. Thompson, it's interesting to hear from those here who claim that a harsh tone is "impolitic" say that they respect Dr. Gonzo.

    BlueOregon 2009

  • • May my prognollics prove at falfe, as the con (iterations arc groundlcfs on which was pafled the decree of the 26th of Auguft lail, which I have termed impolitic and abfurd, be - caufe it certainly is fo in every point of view! and I cannot bat lament that a fplendid verbofity (hould have prevented the dangers r i6]

    Considerations on the Present and Future State of France Charles Alexandre de Calonne 1791

  • 'impolitic', or uncivil ... when someone is robbing me blind, i am NOT going to be polite about pointing that out ...

    AlterNet.org Main RSS Feed 2010

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