apolitical

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'apolitical' is correct and is commonly used in written English.
It means not involved or interested in political affairs or partisan activities. Example: John is an apolitical person, he never discusses or gets involved in political discussions.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

We have to remain apolitical and fight the lot of them, because their policies are nothing short of genocidal … They are trying to kill us off".

The Guardian

This story is really about how the apolitical get radicalised.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I'd call myself an apolitical Liberal voter, but I'm not a fan of Sophie Mirabella," says Neil Dickson, a customer service manager, in the town's pub.

The Guardian

Not wanting to overdo it, he wrote that he was apolitical, and thought all politics were cynical.

The Guardian

He mistrusted officials who had worked too closely with Labour, and moved rapidly moved partisans into notionally apolitical roles.

The Guardian

With the election just a few days away, the consultancy is calling for an apolitical long-term housing strategy to tackle the worsening housing crisis.

The Guardian - Business

She explained her comments as an effort to reunite the long-divided country, and insists she is apolitical and will be representing the entire country in Denmark.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

I don't see how a novel can be apolitical.

The Guardian - Books

"What's worrying is we seem to have moved away from a clear ideological divide to an apolitical calculation as to who should be censored, because of a wider judgment based purely on the potential to upset and offend," says Tom Slater, assistant editor at Spiked and co-ordinator of the project.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Our concerns are also heightened by reports that the festival is sought to be denoted as being an 'apolitical' event, that, yet, people will be free to speak what they want and that no one has the right to deny Kashmiris a chance to listen to writers.

The Economist

(Cameras are not allowed into Mao's mausoleum so selfie-seekers have no joy there, either).If visitors want to pretend they mix with Chinese celebrities, they must make do with those who are solidly apolitical the likes of Pan Shiyi, a property tycoon; Yang Liwei, China's first man in space; and Lang Ping, a volleyballer.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "apolitical" to describe individuals, organizations, or actions that are intentionally neutral or separate from political concerns. It's most effective when emphasizing objectivity or impartiality.

Common error

Avoid using "apolitical" to suggest something is inherently good or superior. Being "apolitical" doesn't automatically make something unbiased; it simply means it isn't primarily driven by political motives. Transparency and defined methodology are needed to reinforce neutrality.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "apolitical" primarily functions to describe a lack of interest or involvement in political activities. Ludwig's examples show its use in characterizing individuals, organizations, or even concepts as being separate from the political sphere. It often modifies nouns, such as "figure", "roles", or "strategy", to indicate their non-political nature.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Formal & Business

12%

Science

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "apolitical" is a frequently used adjective that describes something or someone without interest or involvement in politics. Ludwig AI confirms that it follows standard grammar rules and finds its most common usage in "News & Media". When writing or speaking, ensure that your audience understands that being "apolitical" describes a lack of political interest, not necessarily an absence of bias or a position of moral superiority. Alternatives such as "politically neutral" or "non-partisan" can provide subtle differences in meaning, offering more precise ways to convey the intended message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

non-political

This alternative directly replaces "a-" with "non-" maintaining a similar meaning and structure.

politically neutral

This phrase uses an adverb and adjective to convey the state of not favoring any political side.

non-partisan

This term describes being free from party affiliation or bias, similar to "apolitical".

without political bias

This phrase explicitly states the absence of political leaning.

not involved in politics

This alternative describes the state of not participating or engaging in political activities.

uninvolved in politics

Similar to the previous phrase, it emphasizes a lack of engagement in political matters.

outside of politics

This phrase indicates a position or activity that is separate from the realm of politics.

detached from politics

This suggests an emotional or intellectual distance from political concerns.

disinterested in politics

This highlights a lack of interest or concern about political matters.

independent of political parties

This explicitly states a lack of affiliation or influence from any political party.

FAQs

How can I use "apolitical" in a sentence?

"Apolitical" is used to describe something or someone not involved or interested in politics. For example, "The organization aims to remain "politically neutral" and focus on humanitarian aid".

What's the difference between "apolitical" and "non-partisan"?

"Apolitical" refers to having no interest or involvement in politics, while "non-partisan" means not supporting or controlled by any political party. Something can be "non-partisan" without being completely "detached from politics".

What are some synonyms for "apolitical"?

Alternatives to "apolitical" include "non-political", "politically neutral", and "without political bias". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it always good to be "apolitical"?

Being "apolitical" isn't inherently good or bad; it depends on the situation. In some cases, neutrality is essential (e.g., for judges or mediators). However, in other contexts, taking a stance on political issues might be necessary or ethical. Consider if taking a side is more effective than being "independent of political parties".