undiplomatic

adjective

un·​dip·​lo·​mat·​ic ˌən-ˌdi-plə-ˈma-tik How to pronounce undiplomatic (audio)
: not diplomatic
especially : tactless
undiplomatically adverb

Examples of undiplomatic in a Sentence

the reporter's undiplomatic references to the state's overweight governor
Recent Examples on the Web His language was undiplomatic and risked emboldening Russia, which by that point had already invaded both Georgia and Ukraine. The Editors, National Review, 13 Feb. 2024 Pashinyan also took a number of diplomatic—or, rather, undiplomatic—steps that galled Russia. Masha Gessen, The New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2023 On one side, that involves trying to charm and persuade, as when hosting former president Donald Trump at the Forbidden City, while the other is represented by the abrasive posturing now manifested in social media performances by decidedly undiplomatic diplomats. Tripti Lahiri, Quartz, 30 July 2021 Since that somewhat undiplomatic 2021 exchange between diplomats in Alaska, the U.S.-China relationship has continued to be dogged by tensions. Kim Hjelmgaard, USA TODAY, 18 June 2023 Officials attending the first US-China summit under the new Biden administration in March 2021 exchanged undiplomatic words, highlighting a tense relationship between the world’s two largest economies grappling with a simmering trade war. Laura He, CNN, 15 Nov. 2022 While waiting to meet with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Washington in the spring, Vietnam’s prime minister and his subordinates had a few undiplomatic things to say. Paul Farhi, Washington Post, 15 Nov. 2022 The two have had highly undiplomatic relations, hissing and swiping at each other. Karla Adam, Washington Post, 24 Dec. 2020 His cajoling, threats, and insults—however coarse and undiplomatic—did create a sense of urgency among European leaders that forced them to answer his concerns. Tom McTague, The Atlantic, 2 July 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'undiplomatic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1828, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of undiplomatic was circa 1828

Dictionary Entries Near undiplomatic

Cite this Entry

“Undiplomatic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/undiplomatic. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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