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

This stands in sharp contrast to their roles in the 1991 Gulf War coalition, the post-2014 campaign against ISIS, the maritime coalition against the Houthis in the Red Sea in 2023–24, and the diplomacy that produced the 2015 nuclear deal. — Philip H. Gordon, Foreign Affairs, 12 Oct. 2026

North Korea on Monday fired multiple ballistic missiles toward its eastern waters, South Korea's military said, adding to a recent streak of weapons demonstrations that has heightened tensions during a prolonged freeze in diplomacy. — CBS News, 12 Oct. 2026

Kaufman argued that Israel had spent nearly a year waiting for American diplomacy to end Hezbollah's attacks on its northern communities, without success. — Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2026

Kim in recent years has halted all diplomacy and cooperation with South Korea and described the neighbor as a permanent enemy during a prolonged stalemate in larger nuclear negotiations with Washington. — ABC News, 11 Oct. 2026

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