tactfully

adverb

Definition of tactfullynext
as in politely

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of tactfully How can a hiring manager tactfully verify where a candidate actually lives and plans to work without sounding accusatory or making assumptions based on their surroundings? — Kristin Stoller, Fortune, 17 Aug. 2026 The most successful communicators can tactfully disagree with senior leaders without hurting their own reputation. — Melody Wilding, CNBC, 3 June 2026 Lucky, at least, knows how to stay in his lane tactfully. — John Burek, PC Magazine, 1 June 2026 While Smith tactfully deflected that question, Church and other supporters would like to see a portion of the downtown building used for a larger display of his work. — Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026 The Chinese researchers remained tactfully silent on the military front — perhaps choosing scientific decorum over a discussion of battlefield utility. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 4 Mar. 2026 How can this situation be dealt with tactfully with the hosts — if at all? — Judith Martin, Mercury News, 13 Jan. 2026 Forgoing opulence and drama, Stone’s floor-length dress featured a flowing silhouette and distinct gray lines tactfully exposing the seams of the garment. — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 22 Oct. 2025 The royal family are responsible for the seating arrangements at the state dinner and appear to have tactfully seated the media mogul far away from the president to avoid any awkward encounters. — Amanda Castro hannah Parry shane Croucher jack Royston, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tactfully
  1. politely
  2. diplomatically
  3. courteously
  4. civilly
Adverb
  • Can his anti-establishment, punk-rock spirit politely endure an attaboy from the man?
    — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2026
  • My New York neighbors barely said hello; in Singapore, a stranger would probably politely look away rather than risk embarrassing you.
    — Amanda Lee Koe, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of politely
Adverb
  • The State Department has been active diplomatically to try and resolve the situation.
    — Paul Tilsley, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Seward dealt diplomatically with the United States’ northern neighbor, too.
    — Robert B. Zoellick, Foreign Affairs, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of diplomatically
Adverb
  • Two inspectors knocked on doors and spoke courteously to surprised visitors who displayed booking contracts on their phones, the inspectors’ bodycam footage showed.
    — Linda Robertson, Miami Herald, 16 July 2026
  • When a visitor arrives in a classroom, a classroom ambassador welcomes them, introduces himself and the subject being taught, and courteously asks for the visitor’s name and affiliation.
    — Walter Fields, Baltimore Sun, 10 Jan. 2026
Definition of courteously
Adverb
  • On Thursday, after an eight-day trial, a 10-person federal jury found that Plazas Vega was not civilly liable for Urán’s torture or extrajudicial killing.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 18 Sep. 2026
  • That option that would require Clancy to be civilly committed to a psychiatric facility, maybe indefinitely.
    — Rebecca Cohen, NBC news, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of civilly

Browse Nearby Words

tactful
tactfully
tactfulness
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Cite this Entry

“Tactfully.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tactfully. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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