diplomatic
tactful and careful with people
good at speaking or acting in a careful way so that people are not upset or angry
[someone] is diplomatic about [something]; a diplomatic [answer/response/approach]
- She gave a diplomatic answer that didn’t blame either side.
- You’ll need to be very diplomatic when you tell him his idea was rejected.
- His email was more diplomatic than his first angry draft.
- The manager tried to find a diplomatic way to end the meeting early.
- That was not the most diplomatic thing to say in front of the client.
- My boss is very diplomatic with customers.
- He tried to be diplomatic and not hurt her feelings.
- Please give a diplomatic answer to this question.
- She used diplomatic language in the meeting.
- I was not diplomatic and I made my friend upset.
about relations between countries
about the official work of governments talking and working with other countries instead of using force
diplomatic [relations/mission/pressure/solution]
- The two countries restored full diplomatic relations after years of tension.
- He spent most of his career in the diplomatic service in Asia.
- Sanctions are part of a broader diplomatic strategy to avoid war.
- A diplomatic mission was sent to negotiate the release of the hostages.
- The government prefers a diplomatic solution rather than a military one.
- France and Japan have strong diplomatic relations.
- She works in the diplomatic service of her country.
- They hope to find a diplomatic way to end the conflict.
- Diplomatic talks will continue next week.
- The crisis was solved by diplomatic, not military, action.
exact copy of an original text
used in academic work to describe a written copy that follows an old document exactly, even with its mistakes
a diplomatic [edition/transcript/transcription]
- The diplomatic edition reproduces the manuscript line by line, including all spelling errors.
- Scholars first produced a diplomatic transcript before preparing the critical edition.
- A diplomatic transcription is essential when studying how the original document was written.
- This volume contains a diplomatic text alongside a modernized version.
- They compared the diplomatic and normalized versions to track changes in spelling.
- The book gives a diplomatic edition of the old letter.
- In a diplomatic transcript, even small mistakes are copied.
- Students read a diplomatic text and a modern text side by side.
- A diplomatic edition helps us see the original writing clearly.
- The researcher made a diplomatic copy of the 15th-century document.
- Base: diplomatic
break off diplomatic relations
1end official ties between countries
to stop official contact and talks between two countries
- After the attack, they broke off diplomatic relations with their neighbor.
- The government threatened to break off diplomatic relations over the scandal.
- Several countries have broken off diplomatic relations with the regime.
diplomatic bag
1protected mail for diplomats
a special bag or box that carries official papers between a country and its embassies, which other countries are not allowed to open
- The documents were sent in a diplomatic bag.
- Under international law, a diplomatic bag cannot be opened by customs.
- They discovered contraband hidden in a diplomatic bag, causing a scandal.
diplomatic channel
1official way for governments to talk
an official way for governments to send messages and talk to each other
- The message was delivered through diplomatic channels.
- They are using backdoor diplomatic channels to de-escalate the situation.
- All complaints must go through proper diplomatic channels.
diplomatic efforts
1attempts to solve problems by talks
work by governments to fix problems or fights by talking and making agreements
- Diplomatic efforts to end the war have intensified.
- Despite months of diplomatic efforts, little progress has been made.
- The president praised international diplomatic efforts to contain the crisis.
diplomatic incident
1event that harms relations between states
a bad event that makes relations between countries worse
- The arrest of the ambassador caused a major diplomatic incident.
- The comments sparked a diplomatic incident between the two allies.
- They worked quickly to limit the damage from the diplomatic incident.
diplomatic mission
1official group representing a country
a group of diplomats who work in another country for their government
- The diplomatic mission was evacuated after the attack.
- She works at the country’s diplomatic mission to the United Nations.
- Several nations opened new diplomatic missions in the capital.
diplomatic pressure
1political pressure using diplomacy
strong requests or demands from one country to another, using talks and politics, not force
- The government is facing intense diplomatic pressure to change its policy.
- Diplomatic pressure eventually persuaded them to sign the agreement.
- They hope diplomatic pressure will be enough to avoid sanctions.
diplomatic relations
1official ties between countries
the official connection and regular talks between two countries
- The two nations established diplomatic relations in 1992.
- Diplomatic relations were cut after the border incident.
- They hope to normalize diplomatic relations within a year.
diplomatic row
1serious argument between countries
a strong argument between countries that makes their relationship worse
- The comments sparked a diplomatic row with a key ally.
- The spying scandal triggered a major diplomatic row.
- The issue has caused a diplomatic row between the neighboring states.
diplomatic solution
1negotiated answer to a conflict
a way to end a problem or conflict by talking and making agreements, not by using force
- Leaders are still searching for a diplomatic solution to the crisis.
- Both sides say they prefer a diplomatic solution over military action.
- The talks failed to produce a lasting diplomatic solution.
establish diplomatic relations
1start official relations between countries
to start official contact and talks between two countries
- The island nation is seeking to establish diplomatic relations with its neighbors.
- They officially established diplomatic relations after signing the peace agreement.
- Many countries refused to establish diplomatic relations with the new regime.
diplomatic corps
1all foreign diplomats in one place
all the foreign diplomats who work in one city or country
- The entire diplomatic corps was invited to the king's coronation.
- Members of the diplomatic corps attended the state funeral.
- Members of the diplomatic corps attended the emergency briefing at the foreign ministry.
- The speech was addressed to the diplomatic corps in the capital.
- She is well known in the diplomatic corps for her long service.
- He is a respected figure within the diplomatic corps.
diplomatic immunity
1legal protection for diplomats
a special rule that means foreign diplomats are usually not punished by the local laws of the country they are in
- Because of diplomatic immunity, the envoy could not be prosecuted.
- Because of diplomatic immunity, the ambassador could not be arrested by local police.
- The case renewed debate over the limits of diplomatic immunity.
- The case raised questions about whether diplomatic immunity should be limited in serious crimes.
- He abused his diplomatic immunity to avoid paying fines.
- He reminded reporters that the official enjoyed diplomatic immunity while serving abroad.
diplomatic passport
1special passport for diplomats
a special passport for diplomats and some government workers when they travel for work
- He travels on a diplomatic passport because he works for the foreign ministry.
- He travels on a diplomatic passport.
- Holders of a diplomatic passport often get special treatment at borders.
- Only staff with a diplomatic passport could use the fast-track lane.
- Her diplomatic passport allows her to enter some countries without a visa.
- Her diplomatic passport was revoked after the scandal.