diplomatic

adjective dip·lo·mat·ic \ ˌdi-plə-ˈma-tik \

|Updated on: 14 Jun 2018

Examples: diplomatic in a Sentence

Definition of diplomatic

1 a : paleographic

b : exactly reproducing the original

a diplomatic edition

2 : of, relating to, or concerned with the art and practice of conducting negotiations between nations : of, relating to, or concerned with diplomacy or diplomats

diplomatic relations

3 : employing tact and conciliation especially in situations of stress

a diplomatic way to say no

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diplomatically

play \-ti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

See diplomatic defined for English-language learners

See diplomatic defined for kids

Examples of diplomatic in a Sentence

Negotiators are working to restore full diplomatic relations.
a diplomatic attempt at preventing any hurt feelings

Recent Examples of diplomatic from the Web

Despite this, there were attempts at diplomatic efforts from both the United States and North Korea.

— katherine nails, Philly.com, "U.S.-North Korea relations: Donald Trump, Kim Jong Un to have summit in Singapore," 11 June 2018
On Inauguration Day, State Department buses carried members of the diplomatic corps to the Capitol.

— adam entous, The New Yorker, "Donald Trump’s New World Order," 11 June 2018
Heading into Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un's diplomatic negotiations in Singapore, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo reaffirmed this ambition on Monday.

— lily hay newman, WIRED, "It's Nearly Impossible to Hold North Korea to Nuclear Promises," 11 June 2018
For now, Moon’s diplomatic efforts have paid off at home, where his recent approval ratings are around 80%.

— matt stiles, latimes.com, "South Korea's president was matchmaker for the nuclear summit — but could take the blame if it fails," 7 June 2018
Todd Brown, diplomatic security assistant director for international programs, told Congress.

— joe pappalardo, Popular Mechanics, "The U.S. Is Still Clueless About the Creepy 'Sonic' Attacks in China and Cuba," 7 June 2018
He was criticized by German politicians for overstepping diplomatic boundaries by his remarks endorsing conservative politics.

— diane bell, sandiegouniontribune.com, "U.S. ambassador criticized by Germans as not so diplomatic," 4 June 2018
An Asia Times op-ed defending America’s diplomatic posture toward Iran also triggered the political filter and was subsequently blocked from promotion.

— russell brandom, The Verge, "Facebook’s ad rules are forcing news outlets to register as political advertisers," 1 June 2018
Trump has pledged to raise human rights in his talks with Kim, but some South Korean officials fear that doing so publicly could complicate the sensitive diplomatic efforts underway.

— david nakamura, BostonGlobe.com, "Warmbier’s parents sue North Korea for having ‘brutally tortured and murdered’ their son," 27 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'diplomatic.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of diplomatic

in sense 1, from New Latin diplomaticus, from Latin diplomat-, diploma; in other senses, from French diplomatique connected with documents regulating international relations, from New Latin diplomaticus

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1711

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

diplomatic Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of diplomatic

suave, urbane, diplomatic, bland, smooth, politic mean pleasantly tactful and well-mannered. suave suggests a specific ability to deal with others easily and without friction.

- a suave public relations coordinator

urbane implies high cultivation and poise coming from wide social experience.

- an urbane traveler

diplomatic stresses an ability to deal with ticklish situations tactfully.

- a diplomatic negotiator

bland emphasizes mildness of manner and absence of irritating qualities.

- a bland master of ceremonies

smooth suggests often a deliberately assumed suavity.

- a smooth salesman

politic implies shrewd as well as tactful and suave handling of people.

- a cunningly politic manager

Other Government and Politics Terms

agent provocateur, agitprop, autarky, cabal, egalitarianism, federalism, hegemony, plenipotentiary, popular sovereignty, socialism

DIPLOMATIC Defined for English Language Learners

diplomatic

adjective

Definition of diplomatic for English Language Learners

: involving the work of maintaining good relations between the governments of different countries : of or relating to diplomats or their work
: not causing bad feelings : having or showing an ability to deal with people politely