Politically means in a way that relates to government, public affairs, or the competition for power and leadership in a community or country.

When people disagree politically, they have different views about how government should work or what laws should exist. Your teacher might say she can't discuss certain topics politically in class because she needs to stay neutral and let students form their own opinions.

The word describes actions connected to politics: organizing voters, running campaigns, passing laws, or debating policies. When someone says a decision was made politically, they often mean it was influenced by power dynamics or political considerations rather than just facts or merit. For instance, if a mayor chooses a friend for an important job instead of the most qualified person, critics might say the choice was made politically.

Politically can also describe behavior calculated to gain support or avoid controversy. Someone acting politically at a meeting might avoid taking sides on a divisive issue, or carefully phrase their words to keep everyone happy. This isn't necessarily bad: sometimes being politically smart means building bridges between people who disagree. But it can also mean prioritizing popularity over honesty.

The term doesn't carry judgment by itself. Acting politically might mean working skillfully to build coalitions and get good things done, or it might mean playing games instead of addressing real problems directly.