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

• tact
• tactfulness

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

For Washington, this undermines months of diplomacy and weakens efforts to contain nuclear risks. —Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 June 2025

While mineral agreements have become a key tool of American diplomacy in the modern era, unclear and inconsistently enforced legislation has limited their effectiveness. —Ariel Cohen, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025

Advertisement The Middle East too has become an important market and site of diplomacy for China. —Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 27 June 2025

America’s entry into this war has also undermined the power of diplomacy to mitigate conflict. —Elizabeth Shackelford, Chicago Tribune, 27 June 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