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

The visa policy shift comes despite moves to improve diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Read more on BBC

Israel's army chief, Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir said Sunday that the country defeated Hamas through the military pressure exerted over the past two years, combined with diplomatic efforts.

Read more on Barron's

Kyiv says diplomatic efforts to end Russia's invasion of Ukraine have slowed in recent months, in part because global attention has shifted to the war in Gaza.

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Charles de Gaulle rejected a possible Franco-German nuclear weapon to pursue an exclusively French bomb “which is not so much security as independence, a diplomatic advantage that reinforces the status” of France.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Embassy in Beijing, sparking a diplomatic crisis that ultimately led to Chen being permitted to move to the U.S.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• conciliatory 
• gracious 
• polite 
• strategic