tactfulness
Delicate handling skill
Tactfulness is the quality of knowing what to say or do without causing offense or discomfort.
A tactful person navigates sensitive situations with care, choosing words that acknowledge others' feelings: Her tactfulness in delivering criticism made it easier to hear.
The word implies social grace and diplomatic skill—awareness of when to speak and when to stay silent.
Respectful, considerate behavior
- mannersCustoms of polite conduct
- etiquetteRules of polite conduct
- graciousnessCourteous, kind demeanor
- respectRegard with honor
civility · propriety · deference · cordiality · courteousness · decorum · gentlemanliness · considerateness
Sharing another's emotions
- compassionConcern for others' distress
- understandingMental comprehension of something
- considerationCareful thought or compensation
- kindnessConsiderate, caring disposition
gentleness · thoughtfulness · perceptiveness · awareness · mindfulness · attentiveness · emotional intelligence · receptiveness
Careful, wise judgment
- judgmentReasoned decision-making capacity
- cautionCareful attention to risk
- circumspectionCareful consideration of consequences
- restraintControl over impulses
confidentiality · discernment · timing · appropriateness · holding back · reading the room · unspoken · implied
Discussion seeking mutual accord
- mediationIntervention to resolve conflict
- statesmanshipSkillful government leadership
- protocolPrescribed conduct rules
- dialogueSpoken exchange between parties
finesse · delicacy · peacemaking · reconciliation · conflict resolution · compromise · arbitration · bridge-building
courtesy
Respectful, considerate behavior
- mannersCustoms of polite conduct
- etiquetteRules of polite conduct
- graciousnessCourteous, kind demeanor
respect · civility · propriety · deference · cordiality · courteousness · decorum · gentlemanliness · considerateness · gallantry
empathy
Sharing another's emotions
- compassionConcern for others' distress
- understandingMental comprehension of something
- considerationCareful thought or compensation
kindness · gentleness · thoughtfulness · perceptiveness · awareness · mindfulness · attentiveness · emotional intelligence · receptiveness · nuance
prudence
Careful, wise judgment
- judgmentReasoned decision-making capacity
- cautionCareful attention to risk
- circumspectionCareful consideration of consequences
restraint · confidentiality · discernment · timing · appropriateness · holding back · reading the room · unspoken · implied · understated
negotiation
Discussion seeking mutual accord
- mediationIntervention to resolve conflict
- statesmanshipSkillful government leadership
- protocolPrescribed conduct rules
dialogue · finesse · delicacy · peacemaking · reconciliation · conflict resolution · compromise · arbitration · bridge-building · rapport
- courtesycivility, decorum, etiquette, good manners, manners
- etiquettemanners, politeness, etiquette, table manners, courtesy
- personality traitsextraversion, agreeableness, introvert, neuroticism, temperament
- traitshonesty, ambitious, brave, calm, kindness
- indirectnesscircumlocution, euphemism, hedging, hint, hinting
- conflict responsesavoidance, confrontation, compromise, accommodation, aggression
tactfulnesstactlessness
Absence of social sensitivity
insensitivity · thoughtlessness · inconsiderateness · inconsideration · obliviousness
tactfulnessbluntness
Frank, unvarnished manner
rudeness · brusqueness · curtness · harshness · abrasiveness
tactfulnessboorishness
Crude, uncouth conduct
gaucheness · gracelessness · crudeness · loutishness · clumsiness
contact, tact, intact, tactics, tactful, tangible, tactile, contagion, tangent