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

The halt in strikes began at midnight on Friday into Saturday and will last for the duration of the weekend of diplomacy. — Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2026

But no president has appeared to so directly link diplomacy to his own economic interests, according Patrick Shea, a professor of international relations and global governance at the University of Glasgow, Scotland. — Kim Hjelmgaard, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2026

Nakatani, who heads a cross-party group of dozens of lawmakers from the ruling and opposition parties working on human rights and diplomacy, will submit its demands to Takaichi’s top government spokesperson by mid-September. — Mari Yamaguchi, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026

Food security diplomacy, however, must extend beyond conflict zones. — Anna Nelson, Foreign Affairs, 4 Sep. 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