diplomacy

noun

di·​plo·​ma·​cy də-ˈplō-mə-sē 

1

: the art and practice of conducting negotiations between nations

2

: skill in handling affairs without arousing hostility : tact

handled the awkward situation with diplomacy

Synonyms

• manners
• tact
• sensitivity
• gallantry
• tactfulness
• consideration

Examples of diplomacy in a Sentence

She has had a long and distinguished career in diplomacy.

The government avoided a war by successfully resolving the issues through diplomacy.

This is a situation that calls for tactful diplomacy.

Recent Examples on the Web

Terao Tetsuya’s Spent Bullets is not a piece of cultural diplomacy designed to make Taiwan more attractive. —Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2025

Meanwhile, the hostage families – caught between diplomacy and devastation – are left to wait. —Kara Fox, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2025

What Happens Next Iran’s nuclear and military capabilities have been significantly weakened, and its refusal to attend the Egypt summit further isolates it from broader regional diplomacy. —Robert Birsel, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025

While the university has focussed on back-channel diplomacy, Maine’s Democratic government has gone to court. —Emma Green, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

see diplomatic

First Known Use

1766, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing diplomacy

• dollar diplomacy
• gunboat diplomacy
• shuttle diplomacy

Kids Definition

diplomacy

noun

di·​plo·​ma·​cy də-ˈplō-mə-sē 

1

: the work of keeping up relations between the governments of different countries

2

: skill in dealing with others without causing bad feelings : tact