tactful

adjective

ˈtakt-fəl How to pronounce tactful (audio)
Definition of tactfulnext
as in politic
having or showing tact tried to be tactful when asked to critique her friend's singing

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 tactful The tactful way to teach them requires refraining from criticizing their parents, which will be a struggle. — Judith Martin, Mercury News, 23 Feb. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for tactful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tactful
  1. politic
  2. polite
  3. diplomatic
  4. respectful
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
  • Trump had entered the ballroom to polite applause, and was thanked for his support by outgoing White House Correspondents’ Association president Weijia Jiang of CBS News.
    — Jocelyn Noveck, Fortune, 25 July 2026
  • Harris said James would be welcomed in Philly with open arms; James was polite but didn’t tip his hand.
    — David Aldridge, New York Times, 25 July 2026
Definition of polite
Adjective
  • Could that, within sufficient pressure -- diplomatic, economic pressure -- could that change?
    — Mariam Khan, ABC News, 29 July 2026
  • The goal is to end the war, to pave a path to a diplomatic resolution.
    — Scott Peterson, Christian Science Monitor, 28 July 2026
Definition of diplomatic
Adjective
  • Eventually and from a respectful distance, Ayres hopped in the water to get a better look at the whales.
    — Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 23 July 2026
  • Of course, creating a culture of openness and respectful debate requires more than staving off government interference.
    — Annabelle Garland, The Atlantic, 23 July 2026
Definition of respectful

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Cite this Entry

“Tactful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tactful. Accessed 31 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on tactful

Nglish: Translation of tactful for Spanish Speakers

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