as in politic
having or showing tact
tried to be tactful when asked to critique her friend's singing
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of tactful
The boutique seller quoted earlier in the article is slightly less tactful.
—
Max Goldbart, Deadline, 17 Feb. 2026
Coach Erik Spoelstra was a bit more tactful while offering similar sentiment.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 21 Jan. 2026
Please advise me on a tactful way to address this dear woman.
—Jeanne Phillips, Dallas Morning News, 5 Jan. 2026
Heather, who normally is good at playing this game and tactful while making risky moves like this, seems to have had just enough to drink to lose that tact.
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 5 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tactful
Max Goldbart, Deadline, 17 Feb. 2026
Coach Erik Spoelstra was a bit more tactful while offering similar sentiment.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 21 Jan. 2026
Please advise me on a tactful way to address this dear woman.
—Jeanne Phillips, Dallas Morning News, 5 Jan. 2026
Heather, who normally is good at playing this game and tactful while making risky moves like this, seems to have had just enough to drink to lose that tact.
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 5 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tactful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tactful
Adjective
-
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
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Florida has had enough of pettiness, politic stunts and petulance.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Films that would once have sparked competitive bidding are screening to polite attention and noncommittal follow-up meetings.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
17 May 2026
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The old-school kind where everybody is mostly well-behaved and polite, and the audience scrolls on their phones to stay awake.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
15 May 2026
Adjective
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Chinese state media is already portraying this visit as a major diplomatic victory for China.—
Selina Wang,
ABC News,
14 May 2026
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Seizures come at tense diplomatic moment Iranian semiofficial news agencies reported that Chinese ships began passing through the strait Wednesday night under new Iranian protocols.—
Adam Schreck,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2026
Adjective
-
Classy, tasteful, and respectful authority, but authority nonetheless.—
Mark Harris OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
18 May 2026
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Colbert had a warm and respectful connection with the musician, who appeared on the show several times.—
Maira Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
18 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tactful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tactful. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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