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

• 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

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says Moscow has also become less interested in diplomacy now that the US has refused to provide Ukraine with long-range Tomahawk missiles. —Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2025

Trump is trying to end Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine, but has not yet succeeded following several months of diplomacy. —Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025

In 1962, the Soviet Union began the secret deployment of nuclear missiles to Cuba under the cover of reassuring diplomacy. —Big Think, 20 Oct. 2025

Trump, however, rejected the offers and cut off diplomacy with the South American nation. —Laura Daniella Sepulveda, AZCentral.com, 18 Oct. 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