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
Related Words
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
- diplomatically adverb
- nondiplomatic adjective
- prediplomatic adjective
- quasi-diplomatic adjective
- undiplomatic adjective
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
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.
The summit is expected to consider what diplomatic and political steps could be taken to reopen the important shipping route, though the US was not set to attend.
From BBC • Apr. 2, 2026
After China took up the mantel as mediator, the two sides agreed to re-establish diplomatic relations.
From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026
The 70-year-old US-born pope has so far shown diplomatic caution and has not directly condemned his home country's role in the turbulent Middle East region.
From Barron's • Apr. 1, 2026
In addition, shifting wartime assets to western Saudi bases could have raised sensitive diplomatic issues as American officials were worried about how other Gulf states would react.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026
The bus had to veer sharply to avoid a collection of diplomatic limos.
From "The Ear, the Eye, and the Arm" by Nancy Farmer
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.
