diplomacy

[ dih-ploh-muh-see ]

noun

1. the conduct by government officials of negotiations and other relations between nations.
2. the art or science of conducting such negotiations.
3. skill in managing negotiations, handling people, etc., so that there is little or no ill will; tact:

   Seating one's dinner guests often calls for considerable diplomacy.

diplomacy

/ dɪˈpləʊməsɪ /

noun

1. the conduct of the relations of one state with another by peaceful means
2. skill in the management of international relations
3. tact, skill, or cunning in dealing with people

Other Words From

• nondi·ploma·cy noun
• predi·ploma·cy noun
• super·di·ploma·cy noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of diplomacy¹

First recorded in 1790–1800; from French diplomatie, from diplomat(e) diplomat + -ie -y ³

Word History and Origins

Origin of diplomacy¹

C18: from French diplomatie, from diplomatique diplomatic

Example Sentences

It is one facet of a unique Georgetown effort, the Laboratory for Global Performance and Politics — a blended unit of drama and diplomacy that seems especially well-suited for a nation divided against itself.

From Washington Post

It was the first time Reagan engaged in personal diplomacy with a Soviet official.

From Washington Post

Beijing has crushed Washington at vaccine diplomacy — a painful reality that Zelensky discussed in the "Axios on HBO" interview.

From Axios

Mask diplomacy has now given way to vaccine diplomacy—but not only of the positive kind.

From Quartz

Horn was pushed out by Time Warner management in 2011, at age 68, to make way for younger leaders, and the next year would find a new act at Disney, which needed his diplomacy skills to finesse its own talent relations after a rocky period.

From Washington Post

Those who served abroad were treated with suspicion that they had been infected by European diplomacy.

From The Daily Beast

Indeed, it's unclear what, if any, benefits the average Cuban will reap from increased diplomacy between the two countries.

From The Daily Beast

The British Museum claims that “cultural diplomacy” can somehow discourage human rights violators.

From The Daily Beast

I called it “ding-dong diplomacy”; Governor Richardson wisely pointed out that “basketball diplomacy” is better than none.

From The Daily Beast

To date, much of the details of the diplomacy and even the interim deal between Iran and the West are shrouded in secrecy.

From The Daily Beast

This Committee shall be divided into three sections, viz.:—Of diplomacy; of the navy; and of the army.

From Project Gutenberg

But, though a capital sabreur, he was evidently not made to solve questions in diplomacy.

From Project Gutenberg

Without any training in or natural bent for diplomacy, Aguinaldo had not the faintest idea of what foreign “protection” signified.

From Project Gutenberg

As for me, I thought that "All right—come on," a magnificent example of Scotch diplomacy and humour.

From Project Gutenberg

In the conduct of his foreign relations, the Bruce proved himself an adept in diplomacy.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• negotiation