diplomatic

adjective

dip·​lo·​mat·​ic ˌdi-plə-ˈma-tik How to pronounce diplomatic (audio)
Synonyms of diplomatic
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 How to pronounce diplomatic (audio)
adverb

Synonyms of diplomatic

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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.
Economic integration, semiconductor interdependence, and diplomatic engagement also do not eliminate the possibility of miscalculation. — Ningrong Liu, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026 Trump can’t let Iran turn a military defeat into a diplomatic victory. — FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026 Since Min Aung Hlaing became president, the military has sharply escalated attacks on civilians, according to ACLED, even as regional governments step up diplomatic engagement. — Lorcan Lovett, NPR, 23 Oct. 2026 As part of what was, at the time, a secret warming of diplomatic relations between Israel and the UAE, Kushner helped negotiate an agreement by Israel to help defend the UAE from a major Iranian military attack. — Matthew Cole, Vanity Fair, 22 Oct. 2026 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

Phrases Containing diplomatic

Rhymes for diplomatic

See All Rhymes for diplomatic

Browse Nearby Words

diplomate
diplomatic
diplomatic agent
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Cite this Entry

“Diplomatic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diplomatic. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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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
-ˈmat-i-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce diplomatic (audio)
adverb
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