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

Zelenskyy’s remarks Wednesday came shortly before he was expected to meet with Keith Kellogg, the U.S. special envoy for Ukraine and Russia as part of the administration’s recent diplomatic blitz. —Hanna Arhirova, Chicago Tribune, 19 Feb. 2025

In Benghazi, Libya, three of the four people killed in the 2012 terror attack on the U.S. diplomatic mission there were civilian contractors and former U.S. military special forces – Sean Smith, Tyrone Woods and Glen Doherty. —Donald J. Mihalek, ABC News, 19 Feb. 2025

Nicholas Burns, the U.S. ambassador to China during the Biden administration, faced diplomatic obstruction and had very little access to Chinese policymakers. —Sergey Radchenko, Foreign Affairs, 18 Feb. 2025

This diplomatic effort was further amplified when Richard Grenell, President Donald Trump's U.S. envoy for special missions, met with Romanian Foreign Minister Emil Hurezeanu at the Munich Security Conference last week. —Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 17 Feb. 2025

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