Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of politic are bland, diplomatic, smooth, suave, and urbane. While all these words mean "pleasantly tactful and well-mannered," politic implies shrewd as well as tactful and suave handling of people.

a cunningly politic manager

When could bland be used to replace politic?

The synonyms bland and politic are sometimes interchangeable, but bland emphasizes mildness of manner and absence of irritating qualities.

a bland master of ceremonies

When is diplomatic a more appropriate choice than politic?

While the synonyms diplomatic and politic are close in meaning, diplomatic stresses an ability to deal with ticklish situations tactfully.

a diplomatic negotiator

When might smooth be a better fit than politic?

The words smooth and politic are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, smooth suggests often a deliberately assumed suavity.

a smooth salesman

When can suave be used instead of politic?

In some situations, the words suave and politic are roughly equivalent. However, suave suggests a specific ability to deal with others easily and without friction.

a suave public relations coordinator

When is it sensible to use urbane instead of politic?

While in some cases nearly identical to politic, 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 politic Again, the park ranger pondered the most politic response. Jesse Ashlock, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Mar. 2022 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 But some of those friends were decidedly less politic when contacted by a reporter. New York Times, 16 Oct. 2021 Austin, the retired general with the little flag pin on his suit lapel, was the more politic witness. Washington Post, 28 Sep. 2021 See All Example Sentences for politic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for politic
Adjective
  • Trump has often expressed verbal frustration with Putin, accusing him of making positive diplomatic noises before bombing Ukrainian civilians again, but until now had avoided taking direct action.
    Alexander Smith, NBC news, 23 Oct. 2025
  • In the heart of the Amazon Basin, where the borders and cultures of Peru, Colombia and Brazil converge, a tiny, shape-shifting island has become the unlikely setting for a diplomatic tug of war.
    Sarah Hutter, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • That said, Gordon believes the sale announced by Tucker, who was promoted from Jack in the Box chief financial officer to CEO on March 31, is a prudent one.
    Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Oct. 2025
  • During my previous time on the board, my fellow members and I practiced prudent fiscal management that consistently extended the life of levies far beyond their original three-year term, some lasting as long as nine years.
    Grace Tucker, Cincinnati Enquirer, 15 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The 2025 study showed that when users dropped the polite fluff and went straight to the point, ChatGPT's accuracy ticked upward.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2025
  • And while offering to help clean up is polite, Jokilehto says there’s a right way to do it.
    Alesandra Dubin, Southern Living, 21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Left to ruminate and refine his tactical blueprint over a two-week international break, write off him and his side at your peril.
    Phil Hay, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
  • These tactical alliances should not be mistaken for strategic realignment.
    Bobby Ghosh, Time, 16 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • On the first voyage, Columbus’ initial contacts with natives were tentative and respectful.
    Lee Habeeb, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Sevigny, who has now done several campaigns with Vaccarello, admires the way his designs seem to offer Yves Saint Laurent a respectful wink.
    Rob Haskell, Vogue, 20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Kizzi’s fate, drama-wise, is not in butting heads with people in her team, but in boatmance.
    Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 21 Oct. 2025
  • Also, color-wise, this phone doesn’t give you many possibilities.
    Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Platforms like ChatGPT act as a second brain to help us generate ideas for work, respond to emails in a more tactful manner, or create a budget.
    Essence, Essence, 25 Sep. 2025
  • This death does not make Beto a more tactful interviewer.
    Keith Phipps, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • The network’s newest house hunting series, the 12-episode World’s Bargain Dream Homes (wt) from Twenty Twenty Television, will follow people brave enough to purchase the world’s most affordable properties that also happen to be stunning, turnkey and in desirable locations around the globe.
    Denise Petski, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Crafted out of recyclable and renewable materials, they’re boosted with a Cloudfoam Comfort sockliner, flaunt a suede upper that taps into one of fall 2025’s most desirable materials, and have attractive perforations as part of the design.
    Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 21 Oct. 2025

Cite this Entry

“Politic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/politic. Accessed 25 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on politic

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