diplomatic

adjective

dip·​lo·​mat·​ic ˌdi-plə-ˈma-tik How to pronounce diplomatic (audio)
1
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 adverb
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
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.
Lobito was made possible by some American diplomatic success in Angola that led to a Western consortium winning the bid for the project in 2022 ahead of Chinese competition, a surprise given Angola’s long and strong ties with Beijing. Gerald Imray, Los Angeles Times, 2 Dec. 2024 Meanwhile, President Biden tries to secure last-minute diplomatic breakthroughs, Congress tackles unfinished business, and retailers slash prices to launch the holiday shopping season in this final month of 2024. CBS News, 1 Dec. 2024 But there’s a broad recognition that the instability is a feature, not a bug, of Trump’s diplomatic style. Rafael Bernal, The Hill, 30 Nov. 2024 The acceleration of a multipolar world by the second Trump presidency will crash the value of many of these diplomatic investments. Mike O'Sullivan, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for diplomatic 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of diplomatic was in 1711

Dictionary Entries Near diplomatic

Cite this Entry

“Diplomatic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diplomatic. Accessed 7 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

diplomatic

adjective
dip·​lo·​mat·​ic ˌdip-lə-ˈmat-ik How to pronounce diplomatic (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or concerned with diplomacy or diplomats
diplomatic relations
2
: tactful
found a diplomatic way to say no
diplomatically adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on diplomatic

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