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

Shipping risks persist even as diplomacy appears to be advancing. — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 3 Aug. 2026

Trump has repeatedly threatened big attacks and then canceled them citing progress in talks — only for the diplomacy to be upended by the two sides resuming tit-for-tat strikes. — Dennis Romero, NBC news, 3 Aug. 2026

The acts of diplomacy stemmed from Galliano’s notorious antisemitic diatribe in 2011, which cost him his job as creative director at Dior and has cast a shadow over his work and his legacy ever since. — Andy Battaglia, ARTnews.com, 3 Aug. 2026

Trump’s two main envoys to Moscow, his friend Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner, were amateurs in international diplomacy and proved unable to start a proper negotiating process. — Alexander Gabuev, Foreign Affairs, 31 July 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