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

Separately, a top Iranian official ruled out diplomacy for now, saying in a CNN interview that Tehran will continue attacking Gulf countries and that the war would only end through economic pain. —Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 10 Mar. 2026

The minister said India wants to ensure peace in the region through dialogue and diplomacy, reiterating Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s comment made last week. —Swati Gupta, Bloomberg, 9 Mar. 2026

But in Lille the focus is on TV, not diplomacy. —Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 9 Mar. 2026

The collapse of diplomacy has forced the US and Israel to review military contingencies, including the possibility of using ground forces to retrieve nuclear material, said a European official familiar with the planning. —Jonathan Tirone, Fortune, 8 Mar. 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