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

More broadly, effective AI diplomacy ultimately requires convincing other countries to join the American AI ecosystem. — Daniel Remler, Foreign Affairs, 10 Nov. 2026

Qatar has brokered the diplomacy, and intermediaries have ranged from Pakistan to Russia to China. — Taylor Luck, Christian Science Monitor, 9 Nov. 2026

Her predecessors traditionally championed charitable causes, but the current occupant of the East Wing has plunged into something resembling actual diplomacy, persuading two governments at war to cooperate. — Anna Rahmanan, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Nov. 2026

The consulting group Rapidan Energy sees an 80% chance that fighting will resume as diplomacy stalls. — Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 7 Nov. 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