tact
Knowing what's appropriate
Tact is sensitivity in dealing with others—knowing what to say and what to leave unsaid, how to raise difficult subjects without giving offense.
Someone with tact navigates awkward social situations gracefully: She had the tact to change the subject when he started crying.
Tactful is the adjective; tactless describes someone who lacks this quality.
Courteous, respectful conduct
- mannersCustoms of polite conduct
- etiquetteRules of polite conduct
- civilityFormal politeness in conduct
- respectRegard with honor
consideration · graciousness · decorum · deference · cordiality · gentility · propriety · courteousness
Effortless beauty of motion
- eleganceRefined, graceful quality
- deftnessSkillful ease of movement
- adroitnessSkillful ease in action
- skillAcquired ability through practice
delicacy · artfulness · dexterity · savoir-faire · sophistication · polish · poise · adeptness
Careful, wise judgment
- judgmentReasoned decision-making capacity
- restraintControl over impulses
- cautionCareful attention to risk
- circumspectionCareful consideration of consequences
confidentiality · reserve · discernment · consideration · thoughtfulness · discreetness · modesty · propriety
Sharing another's emotions
- awarenessState of perceiving reality
- perceptivenessAbility to notice subtleties
- intuitionInstinctive immediate understanding
- receptivityWillingness to accept ideas
responsiveness · discernment · understanding · attentiveness · mindfulness · compassion · insight · acuity
Slight shade of difference
- understatementIntentional diminishment for effect
- implicationIndirect suggestion or consequence
- hintIndirect suggestion
- suggestionIdea proposed for consideration
allusion · indirection · obliqueness · delicacy · softness · gentleness · insinuation · euphemism
Official foreign representative
- ambassadorOfficial foreign representative
- negotiationDiscussion seeking mutual accord
- mediationIntervention to resolve conflict
- envoyAccredited diplomatic representative
statesmanship · conciliation · treaty · protocol · rapprochement · detente · peacekeeping · dialogue
politeness
Courteous, respectful conduct
- mannersCustoms of polite conduct
- etiquetteRules of polite conduct
- civilityFormal politeness in conduct
respect · consideration · graciousness · decorum · deference · cordiality · gentility · propriety · courteousness · affability
grace
Effortless beauty of motion
- eleganceRefined, graceful quality
- deftnessSkillful ease of movement
- adroitnessSkillful ease in action
skill · delicacy · artfulness · dexterity · savoir-faire · sophistication · polish · poise · adeptness · nimbleness
prudence
Careful, wise judgment
- judgmentReasoned decision-making capacity
- restraintControl over impulses
- cautionCareful attention to risk
circumspection · confidentiality · reserve · discernment · consideration · thoughtfulness · discreetness · modesty · propriety · care
empathy
Sharing another's emotions
- awarenessState of perceiving reality
- perceptivenessAbility to notice subtleties
- intuitionInstinctive immediate understanding
receptivity · responsiveness · discernment · understanding · attentiveness · mindfulness · compassion · insight · acuity · keenness
nuance
Slight shade of difference
- understatementIntentional diminishment for effect
- implicationIndirect suggestion or consequence
- hintIndirect suggestion
suggestion · allusion · indirection · obliqueness · delicacy · softness · gentleness · insinuation · euphemism · innuendo
diplomat
Official foreign representative
- ambassadorOfficial foreign representative
- negotiationDiscussion seeking mutual accord
- mediationIntervention to resolve conflict
envoy · statesmanship · conciliation · treaty · protocol · rapprochement · detente · peacekeeping · dialogue · summit
- etiquettemanners, politeness, etiquette, table manners, courtesy
- personality traitsextraversion, agreeableness, introvert, neuroticism, temperament
- Tactful Speechdiscretion, diplomacy, measured speech, word choice
- mannersetiquette, manners, polite, rude, politeness
- social skillssocial skills, conversation, sharing, helping, listening
- courtesycivility, decorum, etiquette, good manners, manners
tacttactlessness
Absence of social sensitivity
insensitivity · thoughtlessness · inconsideration · inconsiderateness · disregard
tactbluntness
Frank, unvarnished manner
rudeness · indiscretion · indelicacy · brashness · brassiness
tactgracelessness
Lack of smooth movement
boorishness · clumsiness · maladroitness · gaucheness · incivility
- strong-arm tacticsAggressive pressure methods
- guerilla tacticsAsymmetric combat by mobile fighters
- hit-and-run tacticsAttack and immediately withdraw
- scare tacticsMethods using alarm to influence
- sales tacticMethod to persuade buyers
- tactical trainingInstruction in operational techniques
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