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 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 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 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

Those records show that throughout the ER trips, Henry Ford employees and ambulance workers generally found Tingley cooperative and polite.

— Jordan Rau, NPR, 30 Sep. 2026
The community nurse hadn’t even bothered to rewrite it, and the polite doctor simply stamped under her amendments.

— Alicja Turczyk, The Dial, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of polite

Adjective

Only pilots from countries that maintain diplomatic relations with Israel -- Oman does not -- are usually allowed to land there.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 1 Oct. 2026
The exchange reaffirmed the deep tensions in diplomatic relations since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in early 2022.

— Sam Meredith, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of diplomatic

Adjective

Flight attendants say small gestures like making eye contact, greeting crew, and saying thank you signal cooperative, respectful passengers.

— Joey Skladany, Travel + Leisure, 29 Sep. 2026
Some of the most respectful conversations a leader can have are also the most difficult or uncomfortable ones.

— Farida Abjani, Forbes.com, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of respectful

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“Tactful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tactful. Accessed 2 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of tactful

adjective

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