diplomatic

adjective

dip·​lo·​mat·​ic ˌdi-plə-ˈma-tik 

1

a

: paleographic

b

: exactly reproducing the original

a diplomatic edition

2

: of, relating to, or concerned with the art and practice of conducting negotiations between nations : of, relating to, or concerned with diplomacy or diplomats

diplomatic relations

3

: employing tact and conciliation especially in situations of stress

a diplomatic way to say no

diplomatically

ˌdi-plə-ˈma-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Synonyms

• politic
• tactful

Choose the Right Synonym for diplomatic

suave, urbane, diplomatic, bland, smooth, politic mean pleasantly tactful and well-mannered.

suave suggests a specific ability to deal with others easily and without friction.

a suave public relations coordinator

urbane implies high cultivation and poise coming from wide social experience.

an urbane traveler

diplomatic stresses an ability to deal with ticklish situations tactfully.

a diplomatic negotiator

bland emphasizes mildness of manner and absence of irritating qualities.

a bland master of ceremonies

smooth suggests often a deliberately assumed suavity.

a smooth salesman

politic implies shrewd as well as tactful and suave handling of people.

a cunningly politic manager

Examples of diplomatic in a Sentence

Negotiators are working to restore full diplomatic relations.

a diplomatic attempt at preventing any hurt feelings

Recent Examples on the Web

Iran and Israel have conducted a yearslong shadow war, but the conflict intensified on April 1, when Israeli warplanes killed seven Iranian officials, including three senior commanders, at an Iranian diplomatic compound in Syria, which Israel asserts was used as a military site. —Luis Ferré-Sadurní, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2024

And yet such an example comes not from a Biblical episode but from a diplomatic one. —David Remnick, The New Yorker, 19 Apr. 2024

Cuba has also rejected calls to release hundreds of political prisoners, a stumbling block in the diplomatic relationship with the United States. —Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 18 Apr. 2024

The diplomatic note does nothing to relieve our family's extreme distress about his future -- his grim expectation of spending the rest of his life in isolation in US prison for publishing award-winning journalism. —Patrick Reevell, ABC News, 17 Apr. 2024

Complicating matters for Jordan’s government, the events of the weekend only added to the anger of many citizens who oppose diplomatic relations with Israel because of its conduct in the war in Gaza. —Tracy Wilkinson, Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2024

Iranian state media said the attack was in retaliation to an Israeli strike on an Iranian diplomatic compound in Syria on April 1. —Niha Masih, Washington Post, 14 Apr. 2024

Iran severed all diplomatic and commercial ties with Israel after its 1979 Islamic Revolution. —Susan Miller, USA TODAY, 14 Apr. 2024

Culp also showed strong diplomatic skills in dealing with Congress and regulators. —Shawn Tully, Fortune, 13 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

in sense 1, from New Latin diplomaticus, from Latin diplomat-, diploma; in other senses, from French diplomatique connected with documents regulating international relations, from New Latin diplomaticus

First Known Use

1711, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing diplomatic

• diplomatic corps
• diplomatic cover
• diplomatic immunity

Kids Definition

diplomatic

adjective

dip·​lo·​mat·​ic ˌdip-lə-ˈmat-ik 

1

: of, relating to, or concerned with diplomacy or diplomats

diplomatic relations

2

: tactful

found a diplomatic way to say no

diplomatically

-ˈmat-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb