tact

Synonym Chooser

How is the word tact different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of tact are address, poise, and savoir faire. While all these words mean "skill and grace in dealing with others," tact implies delicate and considerate perception of what is appropriate.

questions showing a lack of tact

When could address be used to replace tact?

The synonyms address and tact are sometimes interchangeable, but address stresses dexterity and grace in dealing with new and trying situations and may imply success in attaining one's ends.

brought it off with remarkable address

Where would poise be a reasonable alternative to tact?

In some situations, the words poise and tact are roughly equivalent. However, poise may imply both tact and address but stresses self-possession and ease in meeting difficult situations.

answered the accusations with unruffled poise

When might savoir faire be a better fit than tact?

The words savoir faire and tact are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, savoir faire is likely to stress worldly experience and a sure awareness of what is proper or expedient.

the savoir faire of a seasoned 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 tact The soul of the series is in tact. James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Aug. 2025 The most recent accusations from the likes of Vought are, however, a change of tact — challenging Powell’s stewardship and performance running the Fed, as opposed to criticizing him for not lowering interest rates, as the president repeatedly has done for months now. Ron Insana, CNBC, 11 July 2025 Those tunnels, which it's believed may have been used to store some of Iran's stocks of highly enriched uranium, were hit, but they are thought to be largely in tact. Geoff Brumfiel, NPR, 26 June 2025 How naive of me to expect that those in the public eye would at least pretend to possess tact, diplomacy, magnanimity and graciousness rather than bark and growl like an angry pit bull on a thick clanking chain. Louis Balsamo, Baltimore Sun, 25 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for tact
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tact
Noun
  • Trump may struggle to formulate an economic response that is damaging enough to Moscow to change its mind, but also soft enough to keep the channels of diplomacy open.
    Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Tehran's willingness to negotiate limits on uranium enrichment presents a potential path to diplomacy, but any breakdown in talks could quickly escalate regional instability.
    Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Some felt its handling was off and others criticized its on-road manners.
    Eileen Falkenberg-Hull, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
  • From this perspective, swearing isn’t a direct reflection of your character or manners.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Still, the daughter insists that this is about more than sensitivity.
    Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Janelle and Lisa’s sensitivity to materials, language and symbols has resulted in a collection of work whose power lies in its balance between accessibility and poetry.
    Michael James Rocha, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • There’s a quixotic gallantry to appealing to a saner conservative and looking ahead to a post-Trump American politics.
    James Folta, Literary Hub, 14 Aug. 2025
  • Queen Elizabeth later awarded Beaton the George's Cross, Britain’s highest civilian award for gallantry, for his role in saving her daughter’s life, and bestowed honors on Callender, as well as the other policemen and onlookers who intervened.
    Bailey Richards, People.com, 2 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Johnson’s dishonesty doesn’t even take into consideration the carnage from the homicides of yesteryear in the Windy City.
    Christopher Tremoglie, The Washington Examiner, 5 Sep. 2025
  • In their permit applications, companies cite this reality, often listing financial considerations as the reason for seeking exemptions, Oilfield Witness found.
    ProPublica, ProPublica, 4 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Tact.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tact. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

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