a seeker or holder of public office, who is more concerned about winning favor or retaining power than about maintaining principles.
a person who holds a political office.
a person skilled in political government or administration; statesman or stateswoman.
an expert in politics or political government.
a person who seeks to gain power or advancement within an organization in ways that are generally disapproved.
Origin of politician
From the French word politicien, dating back to 1580–90. See politic, -ian
synonym study for politician
4. Politician,statesman refer to one skilled in politics. These terms differ particularly in their connotations; politician is more often derogatory, and statesman laudatory. Politician suggests the schemes and devices of a person who engages in (especially small) politics for party ends or for one's own advantage: a dishonest politician.Statesman suggests the eminent ability, foresight, and unselfish patriotic devotion of a person dealing with (especially important or great) affairs of state: a distinguished statesman.
OTHER WORDS FROM politician
non·pol·i·ti·cian,nounself-pol·i·ti·cian,noun
Words nearby politician
political prisoner, political question, political refugee, political science, political system, politician, politicize, politick, politicking, politico, politics
Scientists and politicians began this pandemic with almost no data on this coronavirus.
Coronavirus Models Were Always About More Than Flattening The Curve|Maggie Koerth (maggie.koerth-baker@fivethirtyeight.com)|September 10, 2020|FiveThirtyEight
In packing, politicians cram voters from the opposing party into just a few districts, securing the remaining districts for their own party.
Under the new measures, Facebook says it will prohibit politicians and campaigns from running new election ads in the week before the election.
Facebook aims to minimize misinformation, will restrict new political ads in the week prior to the election|radmarya|September 3, 2020|Fortune
So, we don’t need to wait to change the actual rules of the game to deliver politicians to office who can act independently of the existing political-industrial complex.
America’s Hidden Duopoly (Ep. 356 Rebroadcast)|Stephen J. Dubner|September 3, 2020|Freakonomics
Maybe riots made it easier for politicians like Nixon to tap into existing racial resentment that enables punitive policies against minority communities.
Violent protests against police brutality in the ’60s and ’90s changed public opinion|German Lopez|August 28, 2020|Vox
They are model citizens, the kind of people whose lives might be used as exemplary stories by a politician in a stump speech.
The 2014 Novel of the Year|Nathaniel Rich|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He reiterated the statements “I am not a politician” and “I am not a political advisor” so often that it seemed like a verbal tic.
Obamacare Architect: I Wanted to Sound Smart|Ben Jacobs|December 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“François Hollande never said a word out of line to me or behaved inappropriately with me—unlike many a politician,” she writes.
Hell Hath No Fury Like Valerie Trierweiler, the French President’s Ex|Lizzie Crocker|November 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A politician or pundit screws up on one, and is made fun of on the other.
Wanted: Less Terrible Political Coverage on TV|Matt Lewis|November 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
You would not know it by listening to cable news pundits, and no politician will ever admit it.
Reality Check: There Are No Swing Voters|Goldie Taylor|November 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The saloon-keeper develops into the legislator, and wears the broadcloth and high hat of the politician.
That Fortune|Charles Dudley Warner
A statesman and not a politician, he soon abandoned political life for the more congenial one of a medical teacher.
The History of the Medical Department of Transylvania University|Robert Peter
Since it spared him so many voters, the politician ought to have been grateful for this; but he was not.
The Battle with the Slum|Jacob A. Riis.
They perplexed him as a politician intent upon order, and they afflicted him sorely as an ardent disciple of the Savoyard Vicar.
Critical Miscellanies (Vol. 1 of 3)|John Morley
We often deceive ourselves, gentlemen, and especially in our knowledge of so great a politician as this.
Cinq Mars, Complete|Alfred de Vigny
British Dictionary definitions for politician
politician
/ (ˌpɒlɪˈtɪʃən) /
noun
a person actively engaged in politics, esp a full-time professional member of a deliberative assembly
a person who is experienced or skilled in the art or science of politics, government, or administration; statesman
derogatory, mainlyUSa person who engages in politics out of a wish for personal gain, as realized by holding a public office
From “Great Society” to “Green New Deal”: How Do Politicians Name Policies?If the success of a political program is at least partly dependent on what it's called, what does it take for a name like the Green New Deal to stand out?
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Words related to politician
lawmaker, senator, leader, legislator, officeholder, partisan, boss, speaker, orator, president, chieftain, grandstander, democrat, republican, public servant, congressperson, handshaker, member of parliament, office seeker