diplomatically

American  

[dip-luh-mat-ik-lee] / ˌdɪp ləˈmæt ɪk li /

adverb

1. in a way that relates to or makes use of diplomacy, or negotiations and other relations between nations.

   Earlier, attempts had been made to solve the dispute diplomatically through the Organization of American States.

2. delicately or tactfully, so as not to offend.

   Even negative opinions or criticism can be framed positively and diplomatically.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• nondiplomatically
  adverb
• quasi-diplomatically
  adverb
• undiplomatically
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of diplomatically

diplomatic ( def. ) + -ally ( def. )

Example Sentences

Xi arrived in the North Korean capital Pyongyang on Monday for his first official visit to the diplomatically isolated nation since 2019.

From Barron's • Jun. 9, 2026

He stumbled into his fate by saying demeaning, insulting things that could have been phrased diplomatically.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 9, 2026

“When it comes to VHS, I can certainly say that it has to be nostalgia,” he says, diplomatically.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 23, 2026

The North said this week it fired multiple short-range ballistic missiles that tested the power of its cluster munitions, the latest in a flurry of launches by the diplomatically isolated state.

From Barron's • Apr. 22, 2026

Normally, such a “recommendation” had the force of law, but Spassky refused, as politely and diplomatically as possible.

From "Endgame" by Frank Brady