statecraft

noun

state·​craft ˈstāt-ˌkraft How to pronounce statecraft (audio)
: the art of conducting state affairs

Examples of statecraft in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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The collision of sport and statecraft is nothing new, from the 1936 Berlin Olympics to the Soviet boycott of Los Angeles in 1984. Shirvin Zeinalzadeh, The Conversation, 11 June 2026 Trade policy should resemble intelligent statecraft, not a medieval blood feud in which every nation — friend or adversary — is treated as an enemy. Richard W. Rahn, Fortune, 27 May 2026 In any case, preventing such an outcome has less to do with the size of America’s munitions stockpile than with coming up with a realistic strategy that skillfully mixes diplomacy, economic statecraft, strong alliances, and a capable military focused on defense rather than global interventionism. William Hartung, Forbes.com, 24 May 2026 Advertisement Beyond military power, economic statecraft remains China’s primary instrument. Yu Jie, Time, 13 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for statecraft

Word History

First Known Use

1642, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of statecraft was in 1642

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Cite this Entry

“Statecraft.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/statecraft. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

statecraft

noun
state·​craft ˈstāt-ˌkraft How to pronounce statecraft (audio)
: the art of conducting government affairs

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