Meaning & use
tact
Last updated
The ability to say or do things without offending or upsetting other people.
See it in a sentence
She handled the awkward question with great tact, avoiding embarrassment for everyone involved.
It takes real tact to deliver bad news gently.
A note on using this word
Often paired with 'diplomacy'; someone described as 'tactful' knows how to handle sensitive situations without causing offense.
Words with a similar meaning
diplomacydiscretion
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Words with an opposite meaning
rudeness
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