What does apolitical mean?
Apolitical is an adjective describing someone or something that has no interest in, involvement with, or connection to politics. A person who is apolitical neither supports nor opposes any party or cause and generally avoids political discussion; an institution that is apolitical — such as a court, a civil service, or a charity — operates independently of partisan allegiances. The word derives from Greek roots: the prefix 'a-' meaning 'without', attached to 'politikos', meaning relating to citizens or the state. In modern usage it often implies deliberate neutrality rather than simple indifference, which can be read either as principled restraint or, by critics, as disengagement. It is especially common in discussions of organizations expected to stay above factional conflict, such as judiciaries, militaries, and broadcasters, whose credibility depends on being seen as impartial.
Not interested in, or not involved in, political affairs; having no political views or allegiance.
"He remained apolitical throughout his career, never once voting in a national election."
When applied to institutions, it typically signals an expectation of neutrality rather than mere absence of interest.
Free from political bias, affiliation, or influence; deliberately neutral.
"The charity insists on remaining apolitical so it can operate in countries across the political spectrum."
The 'a-' in 'apolitical' is the same Greek prefix found in 'atheist' — it doesn't just mean uninterested in politics, it means politics is absent altogether.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of apolitical
Apolitical comes from the Greek prefix 'a-' (meaning 'without' or 'not') combined with 'politikos', meaning relating to citizens or public affairs. The word entered English in the mid-19th century, formed on the model of earlier words using the same privative prefix, such as 'amoral' and 'atheist'. Its cognates include 'politics', 'policy', and 'police', all tracing back to the same Greek root concerning the city-state ('polis').
Related word forms
How apolitical is actually used
Neutral to formal register. Often carries a connotation of deliberate detachment rather than mere indifference — describing oneself as apolitical can suggest a principled refusal to take sides, though it may also be read (sometimes critically) as disengagement. Frequently used of institutions (courts, militaries, civil services) expected to be above partisan politics.
Easily confused with apolitical
Both mean essentially the same thing — lacking political involvement or bias — but 'unpolitical' is less common and more often used of people or attitudes, while 'apolitical' is the standard choice for organizations and contexts as well.