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 of diplomacy

• 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

The challenge was that Prime Minister Modi ended up doing some vaccine diplomacy, and India gave some of those doses to other countries outside of COVAX. —NPR, 11 Nov. 2025

The dispute highlights the challenge of balancing international diplomacy with constituent demands for action on pressing domestic concerns like healthcare costs and Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies. —Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2025

But loans can sometimes serve as tools of diplomacy. —Wayne Chang, CNN Money, 10 Nov. 2025

Climate diplomacy, as orchestrated through the Paris agreement and under the auspices of the UNFCCC, is not up to the essential job of decarbonizing the global economy. —Jessica F. Green, Foreign Affairs, 7 Nov. 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