TACTFUL Synonyms: 59 Similar and Opposite Words

tactful

adjective

ˈtakt-fəl

Definition of tactful

as in politic

having or showing tact tried to be tactful when asked to critique her friend's singing

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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 tactful That includes not wanting to help people through tactful honesty. — R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026 While that wasn’t necessarily the most tactful assessment, given the volume of live games that still air on FS1 and TBS (and, yes, ESPN), Manfred’s take wasn’t at odds with the facts on the ground. — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 25 Mar. 2026 Even during the tactful decades of Finlandization, the adversary was obvious. — Liam Denning, Bloomberg, 12 Mar. 2026 The tactful way to teach them requires refraining from criticizing their parents, which will be a struggle. — Judith Martin, Mercury News, 23 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tactful

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tactful

Adjective

Coaxing out his talents fell to a more politic peer.

— Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 22 June 2026
What’s depicted focuses on the advances these early feminists made at the school and in society, and the personal tensions between the relentlessly radical Marks and the more politic Woolley.

— Manuel Mendoza, Dallas Morning News, 19 Feb. 2026

Definition of politic

Adjective

As always, the Vivint technician was prompt and polite and needed just under one hour to install the camera, attach the Spotlight Pro fixture, and pair the camera to my Vivint hub.

— John R. Delaney, PC Magazine, 5 Nov. 2026
That message came from school after school site, where polls were open and politicians and volunteers shared greetings, and while the federal election monitors were said to be calm and polite, their presence was called troubling.

— Helen I. Bennett, Hartford Courant, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of polite

Adjective

However, the incoming Congress will not be officially sworn in until January 3rd of next year, leaving the current administration nearly two months to advance diplomatic initiatives under the existing congressional configuration.

— , CNBC, 5 Nov. 2026
The crisis helped cement the rupture between the two countries, which have had no formal diplomatic relations for years.

— ELENA BECATOROS, Arkansas Online, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of diplomatic

Adjective

Change starts with higher standards of conduct for everyone, from first-year students to senior administrators and leaders committed to enforcing respectful rules.

— Jason Walker, The Conversation, 3 Nov. 2026
The major repeated the words, slowly, his voice calm, respectful, honoring Helen’s request without question.

— Ron Farina, Hartford Courant, 1 Nov. 2026

Definition of respectful

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“Tactful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tactful. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of tactful

adjective

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