apolitical

Meanings

1. 1adjectivenot comparable

   Not interested in politics or choosing not to take part in political matters.

   Grammar: Describes people: an apolitical student.

   Patterns

   • apolitical about something
   • remain apolitical

   My brother is completely apolitical and never votes.

   She grew up in an apolitical household.

   Most of the club's members are apolitical.

2. 2adjectivenot comparable

   Not connected to or favoring any political party or position.

   Grammar: Describes groups, organizations or content: an apolitical charity.

   Patterns

   • an apolitical organization

   The charity says it is strictly apolitical.

   Army officers are expected to stay apolitical.

   The documentary tried to stay apolitical and just present facts.

Common combinations

remain apolitical

The referee must remain apolitical.

strictly apolitical

The group is strictly apolitical.

apolitical stance

The museum keeps an apolitical stance.

apolitical organization

The union claims to be an apolitical organization.

largely apolitical

The younger generation seemed largely apolitical.

Synonyms and how they differ

nonpartisan

Nonpartisan means not favoring any party, while apolitical can also mean having no interest in politics at all.

neutral

Neutral is wider and need not be about politics, and it suggests holding back from taking a side.

impartial

Impartial is about being fair when judging, whereas apolitical is about staying outside politics.

unengaged

Unengaged stresses a lack of involvement, but it is not a standard political term.

Opposites

Word family

politics noun

the activities of government and parties

political adjective

relating to politics

politicize verb

to make something political

apoliticism noun

lack of interest in politics

Commonly confused: apolitical or amoral?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “apolitical”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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