tactful

[ takt-fuh l ]

/ ˈtækt fəl /

having or manifesting tact: a tactful person; a tactful reply.

Nearby words

First recorded in 1860–65; tact + -ful

tact·ful·ly, adverbtact·ful·ness, nounun·tact·ful, adjectiveun·tact·ful·ly, adverb

To keep things from getting awkward, we offer tips on how to tactfully fill uncomfortable silences, toast each other, and more.
Romney and Obama’s First Lunch: A Social Etiquette Guide|Kevin Fallon|November 28, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Asked whether Trierweiler's tweet hurt her chances, she demured, "I think it didn't help things, I would say, tactfully."
Thomas Hollande and the Tweet Rocking France|Tracy McNicoll|July 12, 2012|DAILY BEAST
German Chancellor Angela Merkel tactfully describes the situation as an “extraordinary international crisis.”
And You Thought the Economy Was Scary?|Andrew Keen|March 7, 2009|DAILY BEAST
How can I (a) prevent the topic from coming up, and (b) tactfully move it aside if it does?
How to, Uh, Talk to People|Will Doig|December 23, 2008|DAILY BEAST

Hal, on viewing this new ally more closely, mentally set him down as good for two or three days' fidelity if tactfully dealt with.
A Gentleman Player|Robert Neilson Stephens
If you tactfully pretended not to see them, Helen shouted at you.
The Red Cross Girl|Richard Harding Davis
She looked at her mother's face, and at her father's, and was tactfully silent.
The Lost Wagon|James Arthur Kjelgaard
The duke and duchess were at the chateau talking with the blesses; for the second time Dunny had tactfully disappeared.
The Firefly Of France|Marion Polk Angellotti
"Mayhap your shoulder troubles you," suggested O'Hara tactfully.
The Black Moth|Georgette Heyer