diplomatic
Americanadjective
-
of, relating to, or engaged in diplomacy.
diplomatic officials.
-
skilled in dealing with sensitive matters or people; tactful.
a counselor who is at all times diplomatic with at-risk students and their parents.
-
of or relating to diplomatics.
Much of her diplomatic research involves the private correspondence of President Van Buren.
adjective
-
of or relating to diplomacy or diplomats
-
skilled in negotiating, esp between states or people
-
tactful in dealing with people
-
of or relating to diplomatics
Synonym Usage
Diplomatic, politic, tactful imply ability to avoid offending others or hurting their feelings, especially in situations where this ability is important. Diplomatic suggests a smoothness and skill in handling others, usually in such a way as to attain one's own ends and yet avoid any unpleasantness or opposition: By diplomatic conduct he avoided antagonizing anyone. Politic emphasizes expediency or prudence in looking out for one's own interests, thus knowing how to treat people of different types and on different occasions: a truth which it is not politic to insist on. Tactful suggests a nice touch in the handling of delicate matters or situations, and, unlike the other two, often suggests a sincere desire not to hurt the feelings of others: a tactful way of correcting someone.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of diplomatic
First recorded in 1705–15; from French diplomatique, from New Latin diplōmaticus, equivalent to Latin diplōmat- (stem of diplōma ) diploma + -icus -ic
Explanation
If you have the ability to say the right thing when two friends are fighting, making both sides happy, you are diplomatic. You have tact. You are a peacemaker. You can be diplomatic in your personal life if you’re polite, easy to get along with, and able to deliver bad news in a kind way. You can also be professionally diplomatic — diplomats are important members of the U.S. State Department. Diplomats keep the peace and maintain good relationships with other countries, even as they try to get other countries to see and do things our way. That's why keeping the peace in smaller ways is also called diplomatic.
Vocabulary lists containing diplomatic
Grade 9, List 2
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
ACT Reading Test: Words to Capture Tone, List 2
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Franklin D. Roosevelt, "A Date That Will Live In Infamy" (1941)
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
But he added: "Diplomatic consultations are naturally continuing in all circumstances."
From Barron's • Jun. 8, 2026
Diplomatic activity aimed at heading off fresh U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran continued Saturday, with mediators meeting Iranian negotiators.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 23, 2026
Diplomatic efforts have stalled despite Trump's extension of a ceasefire that had been due to expire on 22 April to allow talks to continue.
From BBC • Apr. 25, 2026
Diplomatic progress and assurances of uninterrupted tanker movement through the Strait of Hormuz could pull Brent back toward the $80 zone, though residual geopolitical risk limits the downside, Phillip Nova adds.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026
Diplomatic service or not, a man who leaves his wife for his mistress is no catch, I was sorry to find out.
From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
