as in politely
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Recent Examples of tactfully
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
But do it tactfully, in a way that resonates well.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
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
But do it tactfully, in a way that resonates well.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tactfully
Adverb
-
The scene plays out as if the actors are politely averting their eyes while performing, without conjuring the deep moral revulsion Wolfe and LaChiusa might’ve intended.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
19 Mar. 2026
-
To even the score, Weir’s novel describes ammonia-breathing Rocky as smelling like cat pee, an aside the script politely omits.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Mar. 2026
Adverb
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Apart from the oil blockade, the US also appears to be isolating Cuba diplomatically.—
Michael Rios,
CNN Money,
18 Mar. 2026
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Iran is also more diplomatically isolated than at any point since 1979.—
Richard Goldberg,
The Atlantic,
16 Mar. 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
-
Family shocked to see him at restaurant After Duprey was found not guilty, he was civilly committed as a person who is mentally ill and dangerous to the public.—
Mara H. Gottfried,
Twin Cities,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Such defendants must be released or civilly committed.—
Shelly Bradbury,
Denver Post,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tactfully.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tactfully. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.
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