as in politic
having or showing tact
tried to be tactful when asked to critique her friend's singing
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
All right, is this the first tactful move Danielle has made all season?
—
Tom Smyth, Vulture, 27 Feb. 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
Being tactful helps to maintain positive relationships and ensures that ideas are communicated without causing unnecessary friction.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tactful
Tom Smyth, Vulture, 27 Feb. 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
Being tactful helps to maintain positive relationships and ensures that ideas are communicated without causing unnecessary friction.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tactful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tactful
Adjective
-
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
-
Yet, while activist evangelical women worked with these groups, Schlafly’s Catholicism limited her ability to reach evangelicals who were more ambivalent about politic involvement.—
Emily Suzanne Johnson / Made By History,
TIME,
3 June 2024
Adjective
-
Padilla ordinarily is a very polite guy, extraordinary civil — calm, soft-spoken, the opposite of an aggressive loudmouth.—
George Skelton,
Mercury News,
18 June 2025
-
Gentle readers often ask Miss Manners how to respond to questions put to them for which there does not appear to be any polite answer.—
Judith Martin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
4 June 2025
Adjective
-
Malaysia’s chairmanship helped maintain this equilibrium by avoiding escalatory language while keeping diplomatic channels to Beijing open.—
Benjamin Laker,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2025
-
This leaves the diplomatic option but Putin is struggling to be heard.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 June 2025
Adjective
-
Asano suggested that tourists need to be more respectful when visiting Japan.—
Ashley J. DiMella,
FOXNews.com,
19 June 2025
-
For many women, getting quality healthcare that’s accessible, affordable and respectful of their time and privacy can feel like a full-time job.—
Jess Cording,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Tactful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tactful. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share