diplomatic

[dip-luh-mat-ik]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or engaged in diplomacy.

   diplomatic officials.

2. skilled in dealing with sensitive matters or people; tactful.

   a counselor who is at all times diplomatic with at-risk students and their parents.

   Antonyms: tactless, blunt

3. of or relating to diplomatics.

   Much of her diplomatic research involves the private correspondence of President Van Buren.

diplomatic

/ ˌdɪpləˈmætɪk /

adjective

1. of or relating to diplomacy or diplomats

2. skilled in negotiating, esp between states or people

3. tactful in dealing with people

4. of or relating to diplomatics

Other Word Forms

• diplomatically adverb
• nondiplomatic adjective
• prediplomatic adjective
• quasi-diplomatic adjective
• undiplomatic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of diplomatic¹

First recorded in 1705–15; from French diplomatique, from New Latin diplōmaticus, equivalent to Latin diplōmat- (stem of diplōma ) diploma + -icus -ic

Word History and Origins

Origin of diplomatic¹

C18: from French diplomatique concerning the documents of diplomacy, from New Latin diplōmaticus; see _diploma

Synonym Study

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.

Example Sentences

However, he added it was "absolutely necessary" to discuss "certain specific points that need to be put in diplomatic language".

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The remarks prompted Beijing to take retaliatory economic and diplomatic measures against Japan.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Japan said Tuesday it scrambled aircraft after detecting a suspected Chinese drone off an island near Taiwan that has been drawn into a weeks-long diplomatic spat between Tokyo and Beijing.

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He has also launched extensive diplomatic efforts, with mixed results.

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A separate U.S. initiative to break the diplomatic deadlock between Ukraine and Russia that was already under way shifted to include the newly drafted plan.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• conciliatory 
• gracious 
• polite 
• strategic