Synonym Chooser

How is the word politic different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of politic are bland, diplomatic, smooth, suave, and urbane. While all these words mean "pleasantly tactful and well-mannered," politic implies shrewd as well as tactful and suave handling of people.

a cunningly politic manager

When could bland be used to replace politic?

The synonyms bland and politic are sometimes interchangeable, but bland emphasizes mildness of manner and absence of irritating qualities.

a bland master of ceremonies

When is diplomatic a more appropriate choice than politic?

While the synonyms diplomatic and politic are close in meaning, diplomatic stresses an ability to deal with ticklish situations tactfully.

a diplomatic negotiator

When might smooth be a better fit than politic?

The words smooth and politic are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, smooth suggests often a deliberately assumed suavity.

a smooth salesman

When can suave be used instead of politic?

In some situations, the words suave and politic are roughly equivalent. However, suave suggests a specific ability to deal with others easily and without friction.

a suave public relations coordinator

When is it sensible to use urbane instead of politic?

While in some cases nearly identical to politic, urbane implies high cultivation and poise coming from wide social experience.

an urbane traveler

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 politic Again, the park ranger pondered the most politic response. Jesse Ashlock, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Mar. 2022 For his part, Márki-Zay didn’t give the most politic concession speech. John Fund, National Review, 5 Apr. 2022 But some of those friends were decidedly less politic when contacted by a reporter. New York Times, 16 Oct. 2021 Meanwhile, as the early promise of a coronavirus-free summer has given way to new mask mandates and other restrictions, public hostility toward vaccine holdouts has spurred accusations of politic grandstanding, ignorance and selfishness. Anchorage Daily News, 31 July 2021 See All Example Sentences for politic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for politic
Adjective
  • The proposal reportedly attracted interest in Caracas but clashed with Rubio’s diplomatic approach, spurring confusion among officials in both countries.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 13 July 2025
  • Here, Entertainment Weekly's top 10 albums so far this year (in very diplomatic alphabetical order).
    Allaire Nuss, EW.com, 13 July 2025
Adjective
  • Further, the company has been prudent in allocating its resources towards innovation and marketing focused on its flagship product, unlike big conglomerates who despite having deep pockets are unable to focus on a particular niche.
    Ankita Dhawan, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025
  • Adding another inside linebacker or two would be prudent, and Michigan has players on the board who could fill that need.
    Austin Meek, New York Times, 9 July 2025
Adjective
  • If a client goes quiet, a polite but firm follow-up message outlining next steps can nudge resolution.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
  • The mother is friendly and the son is quiet and polite.
    Rebecca Chace July 14, Literary Hub, 14 July 2025
Adjective
  • When a mysterious space vessel crash-lands on Earth, a young woman (Sydney Chandler) and a ragtag group of tactical soldiers make a fateful discovery that puts them face-to-face with the planet’s greatest threat.
    Katie Campione, Deadline, 8 July 2025
  • Most recently, a gunman in tactical gear opened fire on a Border Patrol facility in Texas.
    Jenny Goldsberry, The Washington Examiner, 8 July 2025
Adjective
  • European accounts show that the foreigners weren’t just dependent on mestres for help navigating life in Kongo but also respectful of their abilities and manners.
    Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 12 July 2025
  • Like the series, Mask of the Phantasm does a nice job of catering both to kids and adults — this isn’t as intense as the Christopher Nolan films or as kinky as the Tim Burton movies, but it’s smartly written and respectful about what makes the Dark Knight such an evergreen character.
    Tim Grierson, Vulture, 11 July 2025
Adjective
  • In hindsight that decision may not have been the wisest.
    Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 5 July 2025
  • Demonstrating a talent for working in fluent french peppered with a british accent, the actor delivers one of his most indelible acting turns as the sly, wry, and wise business mogul-turned- butler who finds new purpose in life working on the other side of the fence.
    Pete Hammond, Deadline, 3 July 2025
Adjective
  • Her field notes are animated by sympathetic amusement, a tactful astonishment at the sheer evolutionary peculiarity of this creature.
    A.O. Scott, New York Times, 13 June 2025
  • Competence: Intelligent, dependable, wise, principled, conscientious • Sophistication: Elegant, composed, worldly, confident, tactful • Ruggedness: Tough, athletic, sturdy, outdoorsy, reliable Most businesses focus on a couple of these.
    Sabine Leveiller, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Highland Ventures is ready to transform 525 N. Tryon into a more desirable office space after purchasing the building in May for $24 million.
    Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 2 July 2025
  • Lack of charging infrastructure makes used electric vehicles less desirable than gas cars to some car buyers.
    Charles Singh, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025

Cite this Entry

“Politic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/politic. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on politic

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