non-political

IPA/ˌnɒn.pəˈlɪt.ɪ.kəl/
KK[nˌɑnpəlˈɪtɪkəl]IPA/ˌnɑːn.pəˈlɪt̬.ə.kəl/

non-political — adjective

1. not showing a clear opinion about politics, or intended to avoid political views

1.adjectiveC1
Definition

not showing a clear opinion about politics, or intended to avoid political views and arguments.

Example

Feng keeps the class chat non-political so classmates do not start arguing.

keep + object + non-political

Ilan describes himself as non-political, even though his parents campaign every year.

describe someone as non-political

Common collocations
  • stay non-political
  • keep the discussion non-political
  • non-political answer
  • non-political stance
Synonyms
  • apolitical

    very close; often suggests little interest in politics as well

  • neutral

    broader; can mean not taking sides in any dispute, not only politics

Antonyms
  • political

    showing views about politics or tied to political debate

  • partisan

    stronger and narrower; openly supporting one political side

Grammar Patterns

be + non-political

keep + object + non-political

non-political + noun

Usage Note

Often used for people, groups, discussions, or events that avoid taking a political position. Distinguish from sense 2 (NOT ABOUT POLITICS): this sense is about not showing views, not simply being outside the topic of politics.

2. not connected with politics, or not shaped by political issues when something is

2.adjectiveC1
Definition

not connected with politics, or not shaped by political issues when something is planned or judged.

Example

The museum's new family show is non-political and full of hands-on science games.

non-political + show / article / topic

Christopher chose a non-political topic for his speech on safe water.

Common collocations
  • non-political topic
  • non-political issue
  • non-political job
  • non-political reason
Synonyms
  • nonideological

    narrower; stresses freedom from political ideas or doctrine

Antonyms
  • political

    connected with politics or shaped by political concerns

  • partisan

    narrower; clearly tied to support for one party or side

Grammar Patterns

be + non-political

non-political + noun

Usage Note

Often used for topics, work, decisions, or activities that lie outside politics. Unlike sense 1 (NO POLITICAL VIEWS), this sense does not focus on someone's opinion or public stance.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

'Non-political' often describes a person, discussion, group, or event that avoids political views or keeps politics out of the situation. 'Apolitical' is close, but it more often suggests a lack of interest or involvement in politics, especially for a person. 'Nonpartisan' is narrower: it means not supporting one party or side, but it can still belong to public life and policy work. 'Neutral' is broader than all three and can describe any situation where someone does not take sides. Compare: 'The school newsletter stays non-political,' but 'The election group is nonpartisan,' and 'My brother is apolitical.'

non-political ↗apoliticalnonpartisan ↗neutral ↗

Common collocations

Adverbs

  • largely non-political
  • strictly non-political

Phrases

  • be non-political
  • remain non-political
  • keep something non-political

Etymology

GreekLatinFrenchEnglish

Non-political is built from the negative prefix 'non-' and political. Political came into English through French and Latin from Greek 'politikos', meaning 'connected with citizens or public life', from 'polis', meaning 'city' or 'state'. Adding 'non-' created a word for people, subjects, or decisions that stay outside politics or avoid political positions.