as in diplomacy
the ability to deal with others in touchy situations without offending them
the tactfulness with which the secretary of state handled the diplomatic crisis was commendable
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tactfulness
Noun
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Charles has also had plenty of practice in the area of diplomacy, Bergmann said.—
Kathryn Watson,
CBS News,
27 Apr. 2026 -
Trump’s style of diplomacy stands in stark contrast to that of former Secretary of State George Shultz, who served under President Ronald Reagan.—
Tom Jurkowsky,
Baltimore Sun,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Did my mom teach me manners that no longer exist?—
Abigail Van Buren,
Boston Herald,
23 Apr. 2026
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That kind of no-reply email must surely be bad manners, or worse.—
Judith Martin,
Mercury News,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Even the most complimentary appraisals of Raphael, which celebrate his multimodal genius—painter, draftsman, architect, poet, surveyor of antiquities—also mention his exquisite social tact and career climbing.—
Zachary Fine,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
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Nevertheless, asking for your money back after a long period requires some tact, etiquette pros say.—
Ryan Ermey,
CNBC,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Bell, whose screen roles have long radiated decency and sensitivity, channels that guilelessness once more, only to expose it as yet another façade that helps Niall to conceal his darker impulses.—
Inkoo Kang,
New Yorker,
24 Apr. 2026
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The wind, temperature changes, and even a light touch can trigger redness and sensitivity.—
Devon Abelman,
Allure,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
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In 2020, Magawa received the PDSA Dickin medal for gallantry, which recognizes heroism in animals.—
Brie Stimson,
FOXNews.com,
12 Apr. 2026
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There’s a quixotic gallantry to appealing to a saner conservative and looking ahead to a post-Trump American politics.—
James Folta,
Literary Hub,
14 Aug. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Tactfulness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tactfulness. Accessed 28 Apr. 2026.
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