tactful

[ takt-fuhl ]

/ ˈtækt fəl /

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See synonyms for: tactful / tactfully / tactfulness on Thesaurus.com

adjective

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

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Origin of tactful

First recorded in 1860–65; tact + -ful

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

In Connecticut, the proceedings went off less tactfully when gun enthusiasts began shouting “the Second Amendment!”
Week in Review: Cheat Sheet to the Week’s Big News (VIDEO)|Kevin Fallon|February 1, 2013|DAILY BEAST
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
Tactfully, since Craig had planned and executed the rescue attempt, Higgins was making no effort to exert his own authority.
The Lost Warship|Robert Moore Williams
Here was Perdita approaching her tactfully, and timidly entreating her to do the very thing that was in her mind to accomplish.
The Beauty|Mrs. Wilson Woodrow
The little captain carried the conversation over, tactfully, to his favorite topic.
Glory of Youth|Temple Bailey
Anthony slurred over the greater question by tactfully emphasizing the lesser.
Glory of Youth|Temple Bailey
Old Mrs. Donegan talked freely of her neighbors after Mary had tactfully won her confidence.
Mary Ware's Promised Land|Annie Fellows Johnston