as in politely
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Recent Examples of tactfully
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
But do it tactfully, in a way that resonates well.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
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
But do it tactfully, in a way that resonates well.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tactfully
Adverb
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Though Sarah has politely declined offers from others to pray over her, the nanny powers through.—
Gerald Witt,
AJC.com,
1 Mar. 2026
-
The team politely declined the invitation, citing travel logistics put in place days earlier.—
John Wawrow,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Feb. 2026
Adverb
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The question is how diplomatically each truth can be told.—
Melissa Bell,
CNN Money,
27 Feb. 2026
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In other words, Canada and others might consider the smart move to be economically and diplomatically hedging their bets between Washington and Beijing.—
Simon Shuster,
The Atlantic,
18 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
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
Adverb
-
Such defendants must be released or civilly committed.—
Shelly Bradbury,
Denver Post,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Litigation went back and forth civilly to the point where leadership needed the help of Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen Zappala, who eventually filed nuisance charges in January 2024.—
Lauren Linder,
CBS News,
14 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tactfully.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tactfully. Accessed 5 Mar. 2026.
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