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

• tact
• tactfulness

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

President Donald Trump's second term has taken the world by storm in his first 100 days, leaving allies and adversaries scrambling to respond to new U.S. tariffs, stalled peace negotiations and hardball diplomacy from the White House. —Caitlin McFall, FOXNews.com, 29 Apr. 2025

That mix of vulnerability, humor, and diplomacy is classic Angela: unbothered but not detached, direct but never messy. —Shelby Stewart, Essence, 29 Apr. 2025

In China, meanwhile, a deficit of skilled diplomacy has left the country more adept at signaling defiance than at shaping outcomes. —Zongyuan Zoe Liu, Foreign Affairs, 29 Apr. 2025

But its willingness to talk – even if through a wall – also signals a joint readiness to push for diplomacy instead of war. —Scott Peterson, Christian Science Monitor, 28 Apr. 2025

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