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

Thursday was the first day of the protest, and students were demanding the state of Mexico — not just their own university — should entirely sever its diplomatic relations. —Willem Marx, NPR, 3 May 2024

Students are asking both their university and the country of Mexico to end all diplomatic relations with Israel. —Solcyré Burga, TIME, 3 May 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