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tactful

[ takt-fuh l ]

/ ˈtækt fəl /

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SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR tactful ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

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

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of tactful

First recorded in 1860–65; tact + -ful

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

Synonym study

See diplomatic.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for tactfully

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

Word Origin and History for tactfully

tactful

adj.

1864, from tact + -ful. Related: Tactfully; tactfulness.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper