diplomatic

adjective

dip·​lo·​mat·​ic ˌdi-plə-ˈma-tik How to pronounce diplomatic (audio)
1
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 adverb
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Trump has voiced optimism for a deal with India, an increasingly important diplomatic partner as well as being the world's most populous country and a Top Five global economy. Jennifer Cunningham, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 July 2025 South Africa, Switzerland, the UAE, Portugal—a list that reads less like biography than diplomatic itinerary. Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 30 June 2025 Leyva served as Petro’s foreign minister from 2022-24, overseeing key diplomatic efforts and peace negotiations with armed groups. Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 30 June 2025 Without transparency, timely approvals, and long-term planning, this could easily become another diplomatic cycle of one step forward, two steps back. Dewardric L. McNeal, CNBC, 29 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for diplomatic

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of diplomatic was in 1711

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Diplomatic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diplomatic. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

diplomatic

adjective
dip·​lo·​mat·​ic ˌdip-lə-ˈmat-ik How to pronounce diplomatic (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or concerned with diplomacy or diplomats
diplomatic relations
2
: tactful
found a diplomatic way to say no
diplomatically adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on diplomatic

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