Synonyms

tacitly

American

[tas-it-lee] / ˈtæs ɪt li /

adverb

without saying so; silently.

We both knew we had different views on the subject, and tacitly agreed not to make it an issue.
in a way that is partly unconscious or cannot be explained in words.

The hardest tasks to automate are those demanding skills that we understand only tacitly.

Etymology

Origin of tacitly

tacit ( def. ) + -ly

Explanation

Things that are done tacitly assume there is an unspoken understanding between the people or groups involved. Walking into your friend's house without knocking first tacitly expresses that you are like family, not a guest. Leaving the seat at the head of the table for the guest of honor is a way to tacitly express respect and observe a custom. Maybe you never talked to your friends about sitting together at lunch — you just started doing it one day — you tacitly plan to continue eating together. The Latin root of tacitly is tacitus, which means "something that is silent or performed without words."

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Vocabulary lists containing tacitly

1984

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The Bluest Eye

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Emma

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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.

When reached for comment, the White House redirected AFP to a post on X by White House Deputy Communications Director Kaelan Dorr, who tacitly acknowledged that the image had been modified.

From Barron's • Jan. 22, 2026

Ms. Low tacitly admits that the prevailing culture has been overselling the rewards of work—and playing down the importance of relationships, i.e., marriage and children, as a cornerstone of a woman’s happiness.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 11, 2025

The league may tacitly have encouraged teams to stay silent, but its policies don’t expressly prohibit the Galaxy, or any other team, from supporting immigrants and opposing the arrests of legal residents.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 22, 2025

Forbes reported on Thursday that the company had "tacitly admitted" to removing reviews criticising the Gulf location's renaming on Maps.

From BBC • Feb. 13, 2025

He held up a hand, tacitly signaling for them to keep still.

From "Fablehaven" by Brandon Mull

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023