as in politic
having or showing tact
tried to be tactful when asked to critique her friend's singing
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Recent Examples of tactful
Her field notes are animated by sympathetic amusement, a tactful astonishment at the sheer evolutionary peculiarity of this creature.
—
A.o. Scott, New York Times, 13 June 2025
Social media has sabotaged the tactful rule against mentioning social events to people who were not invited.
—Judith Martin, The Mercury News, 18 Feb. 2025
Tonight: Check your finances. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) ★★★
Go easy and be tactful today, because your dealings with close friends, spouses and partners might be difficult.
—Georgia Nicols, The Denver Post, 31 Jan. 2025
Written by Celia Marks and a team of editors at Southern Living Magazine, the party cookbook is brimming with sensible, tactful advice about issuing invitations, entertaining in limited spaces and seating arrangements.
—Rai Mincey, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for tactful
A.o. Scott, New York Times, 13 June 2025
Social media has sabotaged the tactful rule against mentioning social events to people who were not invited.
—Judith Martin, The Mercury News, 18 Feb. 2025
Tonight: Check your finances. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) ★★★
Go easy and be tactful today, because your dealings with close friends, spouses and partners might be difficult.
—Georgia Nicols, The Denver Post, 31 Jan. 2025
Written by Celia Marks and a team of editors at Southern Living Magazine, the party cookbook is brimming with sensible, tactful advice about issuing invitations, entertaining in limited spaces and seating arrangements.
—Rai Mincey, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for tactful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tactful
Adjective
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The interactions of the child protagonists have metaphoric and politic overtones.—
Alex Dueben
July 21,
Literary Hub,
21 July 2025
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Stirring up some of the local Chicago politic mix, with the cops and more, Smollett then was put under the spotlight of a special prosecutor and hauled before the courts for allegedly playing fast and loose with the truth and his own agenda.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
23 May 2025
Adjective
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Everything here is just better — the way animals are treated, people are polite.—
Jordan Moreau,
Variety,
2 Sep. 2025
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Of course, the only thing unique about Cluely’s sales pitch is its bluntness; plenty of other AI companies have been selling the same thing using more polite and socially acceptable language for years.—
Bryce Hoffman,
Forbes.com,
31 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The warm welcome Putin received in China, coupled with the military and diplomatic might on display during the summit and the military parade, was designed to convey a message.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
4 Sep. 2025
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Xi has been on a diplomatic push, following a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit with a massive military parade tomorrow, intended to showcase China’s growing heft.—
Tasneem Nashrulla,
semafor.com,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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How toxic workplaces emerge When managers fail to set clear expectations, communicate openly and model respectful behavior, dysfunction spreads and a toxic workplace is born.—
Alora Bopray,
USA Today,
3 Sep. 2025
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Setting explicit expectations about respectful communication can reduce uncertainty and encourage collaboration.—
Colleen Tolan,
The Conversation,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tactful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tactful. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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