diplomatic
Americanadjective
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of, relating to, or engaged in diplomacy.
diplomatic officials.
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skilled in dealing with sensitive matters or people; tactful.
a counselor who is at all times diplomatic with at-risk students and their parents.
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of or relating to diplomatics.
Much of her diplomatic research involves the private correspondence of President Van Buren.
adjective
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of or relating to diplomacy or diplomats
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skilled in negotiating, esp between states or people
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tactful in dealing with people
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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
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ACT Reading Test: Words to Capture Tone, List 2
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Franklin D. Roosevelt, "A Date That Will Live In Infamy" (1941)
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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.
However, analysts worry that stripping Zelensky of the order may lead to a major diplomatic rupture that can have serious repercussions for both countries.
From BBC • Jun. 10, 2026
He said Iran needed to re-assess the situation, adding that any diplomatic process required a minimum of stability.
From BBC • Jun. 10, 2026
But China, Washington's chief geopolitical rival, has been North Korea's main trading partner by far for decades and a key source of diplomatic and economic support for a country hit by international sanctions.
From Barron's • Jun. 9, 2026
There is optimism in some financial and diplomatic quarters, and I understand why.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 8, 2026
The other two men on the diplomatic commission were Deane and Arthur Lee, who, as a lawyer in London, had spied, at great risk, for the Patriots.
From "George Washington, Spymaster" by Thomas B. Allen
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.
