Synonym Chooser

How is the word diplomatic different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of diplomatic are bland, politic, smooth, suave, and urbane. While all these words mean "pleasantly tactful and well-mannered," diplomatic stresses an ability to deal with ticklish situations tactfully.

a diplomatic negotiator

Where would bland be a reasonable alternative to diplomatic?

The words bland and diplomatic are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, bland emphasizes mildness of manner and absence of irritating qualities.

a bland master of ceremonies

When is politic a more appropriate choice than diplomatic?

While in some cases nearly identical to diplomatic, politic implies shrewd as well as tactful and suave handling of people.

a cunningly politic manager

When would smooth be a good substitute for diplomatic?

While the synonyms smooth and diplomatic are close in meaning, smooth suggests often a deliberately assumed suavity.

a smooth salesman

When might suave be a better fit than diplomatic?

The words suave and diplomatic can be used in similar contexts, but suave suggests a specific ability to deal with others easily and without friction.

a suave public relations coordinator

In what contexts can urbane take the place of diplomatic?

Although the words urbane and diplomatic have much in common, urbane implies high cultivation and poise coming from wide social experience.

an urbane traveler

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of diplomatic Christian Ruth is a diplomatic historian and postdoctoral fellow at the University of Florida whose first book, One-Third Rich and Two-Thirds Hungry: Development and Neoliberalism in the Late Cold War (Cambridge University Press) will be released this year. Time, 12 May 2025 Today, however, America’s diplomatic attention has shifted significantly away from South Asia. Farah N. Jan, The Conversation, 10 May 2025 April 23 India downgrades diplomatic ties, closes the only functional land border crossing, and suspends a crucial water-sharing treaty that has survived two wars and a major border skirmish between the two countries. Riazat Butt, Chicago Tribune, 10 May 2025 The president has set his sights on including Saudi Arabia in the Abraham Accords, which was his first-term signature series of bilateral diplomatic accords. Jennifer Jacobs, CBS News, 2 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for diplomatic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for diplomatic
Adjective
  • Yet, while activist evangelical women worked with these groups, Schlafly’s Catholicism limited her ability to reach evangelicals who were more ambivalent about politic involvement.
    Emily Suzanne Johnson / Made By History, TIME, 3 June 2024
  • That doesn’t always gel with the sardonic remove the writers built into their material, nor the show’s prescient awareness of the sardonic tango of showbiz and politic power, personal branding and the possibility for genuinely populist adoration by those craving relief from being ignored.
    Chris Jones, chicagotribune.com, 4 Feb. 2022
Adjective
  • This case involves the Hatchet Girls, a cult that follows a bloodthirsty leader intent on giving polite society hell.
    Chris Vognar, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2025
  • What is a polite way to refuse a hug with friends or strangers?
    Judith Martin, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Diplomatic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/diplomatic. Accessed 29 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on diplomatic

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