tactfully

adverb

Definition of tactfullynext
as in politely

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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 tactfully The most successful communicators can tactfully disagree with senior leaders without hurting their own reputation. — Melody Wilding, CNBC, 3 June 2026 Lucky, at least, knows how to stay in his lane tactfully. — John Burek, PC Magazine, 1 June 2026 While Smith tactfully deflected that question, Church and other supporters would like to see a portion of the downtown building used for a larger display of his work. — Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026 The Chinese researchers remained tactfully silent on the military front — perhaps choosing scientific decorum over a discussion of battlefield utility. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 4 Mar. 2026 How can this situation be dealt with tactfully with the hosts — if at all? — Judith Martin, Mercury News, 13 Jan. 2026 Forgoing opulence and drama, Stone’s floor-length dress featured a flowing silhouette and distinct gray lines tactfully exposing the seams of the garment. — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 22 Oct. 2025 The royal family are responsible for the seating arrangements at the state dinner and appear to have tactfully seated the media mogul far away from the president to avoid any awkward encounters. — Amanda Castro hannah Parry shane Croucher jack Royston, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025 At the top of the drive, a Greek-temple art museum presides, its most recent cultural icon—Sylvester Stallone as Rocky—tactfully tucked out of sight. — Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tactfully
  1. politely
  2. diplomatically
  3. courteously
  4. civilly
Adverb
  • This could leave you feeling confused whether you’re being praised, tested or politely managed.
    — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 2 Aug. 2026
  • The woman usually introduces herself politely and grabs a seat to listen to the whistle of hot water pouring from a thermos.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2026
Definition of politely
Adverb
  • When asked who the better striker is, Kane — who won the World Cup Golden Boot in 2018 — diplomatically sidestepped the question.
    — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 12 July 2026
  • While neighboring Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates diplomatically recognized Israel in 2020, Qatar maintained its distance.
    — Jon Gambrell, Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2026
Definition of diplomatically
Adverb
  • Two inspectors knocked on doors and spoke courteously to surprised visitors who displayed booking contracts on their phones, the inspectors’ bodycam footage showed.
    — Linda Robertson, Miami Herald, 16 July 2026
  • When a visitor arrives in a classroom, a classroom ambassador welcomes them, introduces himself and the subject being taught, and courteously asks for the visitor’s name and affiliation.
    — Walter Fields, Baltimore Sun, 10 Jan. 2026
Definition of courteously
Adverb
  • The prosecutor’s office said it was notified the following week that the hospital would not civilly commit him, and he was released.
    — Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 23 July 2026
  • Trump separately was found civilly liable by another Manhattan federal court jury for having defamed Carroll.
    — Dan Mangan, CNBC, 29 June 2026
Definition of civilly

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Cite this Entry

“Tactfully.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tactfully. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on tactfully

Nglish: Translation of tactfully for Spanish Speakers

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