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

This is because monetary policy utterly lacks the excitement of battles or uprisings and the drama of high-level diplomacy. —Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026

Sports and diplomacy aren’t strangers. —Scott Soshnick, Sportico.com, 20 Jan. 2026

Commercial diplomacy without development capacity is not viable. —Daniele Nyirandutiye, semafor.com, 19 Jan. 2026

This means that the first years of the new multipolar era will not be marked by adroit, mutually accommodating diplomacy, but by intense competition and confrontation. —Robert Kagan, The Atlantic, 18 Jan. 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