Synonym Chooser

How is the word politic different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of politic are bland, diplomatic, smooth, suave, and urbane. While all these words mean "pleasantly tactful and well-mannered," politic implies shrewd as well as tactful and suave handling of people.

a cunningly politic manager

When could bland be used to replace politic?

The synonyms bland and politic are sometimes interchangeable, but bland emphasizes mildness of manner and absence of irritating qualities.

a bland master of ceremonies

When is diplomatic a more appropriate choice than politic?

While the synonyms diplomatic and politic are close in meaning, diplomatic stresses an ability to deal with ticklish situations tactfully.

a diplomatic negotiator

When might smooth be a better fit than politic?

The words smooth and politic are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, smooth suggests often a deliberately assumed suavity.

a smooth salesman

When can suave be used instead of politic?

In some situations, the words suave and politic are roughly equivalent. However, suave suggests a specific ability to deal with others easily and without friction.

a suave public relations coordinator

When is it sensible to use urbane instead of politic?

While in some cases nearly identical to politic, urbane implies high cultivation and poise coming from wide social experience.

an urbane traveler

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of politic Again, the park ranger pondered the most politic response. Jesse Ashlock, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Mar. 2022 For his part, Márki-Zay didn’t give the most politic concession speech. John Fund, National Review, 5 Apr. 2022 But some of those friends were decidedly less politic when contacted by a reporter. New York Times, 16 Oct. 2021 Meanwhile, as the early promise of a coronavirus-free summer has given way to new mask mandates and other restrictions, public hostility toward vaccine holdouts has spurred accusations of politic grandstanding, ignorance and selfishness. Anchorage Daily News, 31 July 2021 See All Example Sentences for politic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for politic
Adjective
  • Trump has voiced optimism for a deal with India, an increasingly important diplomatic partner as well as being the world's most populous country and a Top Five global economy.
    Jennifer Cunningham, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 July 2025
  • Leyva served as Petro’s foreign minister from 2022-24, overseeing key diplomatic efforts and peace negotiations with armed groups.
    Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 30 June 2025
Adjective
  • Banning any emulsifiers that might be found to cause serious harm would be prudent, but then foods that contain them would have to be reformulated—a costly, time-consuming endeavor.
    Yasmin Tayag, The Atlantic, 25 June 2025
  • The trade Given these risks, hedging is prudent for investors with significant tech exposure, particularly those concerned about short-term volatility.
    Michael Khouw, CNBC, 23 June 2025
Adjective
  • Fittingly, a green laser shined out into the crowd as attendees turned from polite listeners to a rowdy mosh pit, singing every word.
    Ellise Shafer, Variety, 27 June 2025
  • There’s a difference between being polite and being passive.
    Sho Dewan, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025
Adjective
  • When Doku opened the scoring in the ninth minute, Guardiola, with his hands as tactical puppets, was seen having a detailed talk with his striker on the bench.
    Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 27 June 2025
  • For Williams, the partnership is both tactical and deeply aligned.
    Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 26 June 2025
Adjective
  • Some include strengthening academic and residential life and including more Jewish student representation; supporting belonging and promoting respectful dialogue; and updating campus use rules and other procedures.
    Nick Mordowanec, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 June 2025
  • Edgewater Animal Control removed the dead animals from the property for respectful handling and appropriate final disposition.
    Elainie Barraza, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 June 2025
Adjective
  • Those who are successful in the job market learn how to embrace tradeoffs to make wise choices.
    Michael B. Horn, Time, 24 June 2025
  • Washington eventually adopted more sensible approaches that mobilized the resources of key allies, developed a wiser balance between conventional and nuclear tools, and assumed a less confrontational attitude toward Moscow.
    JENNIFER LIND, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 2025
Adjective
  • Her field notes are animated by sympathetic amusement, a tactful astonishment at the sheer evolutionary peculiarity of this creature.
    A.O. Scott, New York Times, 13 June 2025
  • Competence: Intelligent, dependable, wise, principled, conscientious • Sophistication: Elegant, composed, worldly, confident, tactful • Ruggedness: Tough, athletic, sturdy, outdoorsy, reliable Most businesses focus on a couple of these.
    Sabine Leveiller, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • These two effects are desirable for reducing heart health risks.
    Amber J. Tresca, Verywell Health, 25 June 2025
  • Macaluso, too, suggests that rather than fighting over redfish, sportsmen ought to expand their notions of which fish are desirable.
    Boyce Upholt, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 June 2025

Cite this Entry

“Politic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/politic. Accessed 6 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on politic

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