Diplomatic

Tactful and prudent in dealing with others, especially in sensitive or potentially confrontational situations; relating to diplomacy.

adjective

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Imagine This

Imagine a seasoned diplomat at a tense international meeting, carefully choosing words to avoid offense while guiding all sides toward a peaceful agreement.

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Sounds Like

DIP-luh-MAT-ik

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Looks Like

diplomat, diplomacy

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Remember This

Diplomatic skills emphasize tact, discretion, and negotiation; the word is often used to describe people, approaches, or solutions, not laws or force.

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Other Forms

diplomacynoun

diplomatnoun

diplomaticallyadverb

undiplomaticadjective

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Connect With

tact, tactful, discretion, negotiation, diplomacy, peacemaking

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Note

Don't confuse with undiplomatic (tactless) or with the noun diplomat. Use diplomatic to describe conduct, not ideology.

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Study Deeper

Examples

Her diplomatic approach defused the argument and kept the meeting productive.
The ambassador's diplomatic skills helped avert a regional crisis.

Synonyms

tactfuldiscreetcourteouspoliticconciliatory

Antonyms

tactlessbluntundiplomatic

Etymology

From Medieval Latin diplomaticus, from Greek diplomatikos 'pertaining to a document or charter' (from diplōma 'document' from diploos 'double' indicating a folded charter) + the suffix -ikos; the English form came via French diplomatique and Latin diplomaticus.

Mnemonic

DIPLOMATIC: Deft In People, Listening, Or Mediating, And Talking In Calm.

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Inept

adjective

Lacking skill or ability; clumsy or ineffective in performing a task.

Florid

adjective

Richly ornamented or colored; elaborately decorative; also reddened in the face.

Erratic

adjective

Not regular or predictable; characterized by inconsistency or uncertainty.

Similar Words

Related words and words with the same part of speech.

Tact

noun

The ability to deal with people and delicate situations in a sensitive, considerate, and diplomatic way; choosing words and actions carefully to avoid offense.