diplomatic

adjective

dip·​lo·​mat·​ic ˌdi-plə-ˈma-tik 

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

diplomatically

ˌdi-plə-ˈma-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Synonyms

• politic
• tactful

Choose the Right Synonym for 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

Examples of diplomatic in a Sentence

Negotiators are working to restore full diplomatic relations.

a diplomatic attempt at preventing any hurt feelings

Recent Examples on the Web

Since then, the two countries have ramped up their economic, trade and diplomatic relations – including in the wake of Putin’s war in Ukraine. —Simone McCarthy, CNN, 9 Apr. 2024

Elegant, warm, good-hearted and diplomatic, Cinderella guides her daughter with a gentle hand. —Rivea Ruff, Essence, 9 Apr. 2024

Iran, vowing revenge directly against Israel, naturally says the building—under diplomatic protocols—was Iran’s sovereign territory. —Dan Raviv and Yossi Melman, TIME, 9 Apr. 2024

But no world power other than the United States has the military and diplomatic capacity to frustrate Iran’s most destructive ambitions by managing the spiraling conflict between Israel and Hamas and containing its most devastating long-term consequences. —Suzanne Maloney, Foreign Affairs, 8 Apr. 2024

And this week on Face the Nation: Six months to the day Hamas attacked Israel, there is breaking military and diplomatic news in the conflict that has cost tens of thousands of lives. —CBS News, 7 Apr. 2024

But the airstrike in Damascus was far out of the ordinary, both in killing so many senior figures at once and in hitting a diplomatic building, normally considered off limits in conflicts. —Ronen Bergman, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2024

Meanwhile, there’s a diplomatic scramble to avert full-scale war between Israel and Lebanon. —Mikhail Klimentov, Washington Post, 3 Apr. 2024

Among senior diplomatic ranks, several State Department officials said Arab Americans, Black Americans and Hispanic Americans were among communities that were underrepresented. —Abigail Williams, NBC News, 2 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1711, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing diplomatic

• diplomatic corps
• diplomatic cover
• diplomatic immunity

Kids Definition

diplomatic

adjective

dip·​lo·​mat·​ic ˌdip-lə-ˈmat-ik 

1

: of, relating to, or concerned with diplomacy or diplomats

diplomatic relations

2

: tactful

found a diplomatic way to say no

diplomatically

-ˈmat-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb