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tactfulness

tactfulness

4.9
Careful and kind behavior when dealing with people to avoid hurting them
  • noun
  • /ˈtæktfəl.nəs/
translation icon : tacto
  • His tactfulness helped him navigate the delicate conversation without upsetting anyone.

Examples

  • Some of the derived nominals in Nippold and Sun were multimorphemic (e.g., tactfulness), which may explain why their participants had more difficulty with this word class.

    Academic text (2012)
  • The adaptive skills named by employers covered a wide range of attitudes, personality traits, and work habits, with tactfulness being the most frequently mentioned skill.

    Academic text (1992)
  • So no, I don't take it as a moment to educate them about their tactfulness because it's their culture.

    Blog text (5)
  • Now I say to you that once and for all, It is time to drop all tactfulness, that we identify this murderous regime and say what it is.

  • He had begun to resent the tactfulness and sensitivity of their references to his cuckolding, and Elaine's quiet, even brusque, acceptance seemed preferable by far.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • But Illimar Kconen, in my eyes almost a regular trouper, did not glory in his superiority; on the contrary, he was tactfulness itself, and so my mediocre appearance on the school stage became the occasion for our final reconciliation.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • To control yourself is for such dispositions (for example, modesty, generosity, and tactfulness) to overcome more selfish impulses, not for an inner agent to intervene in guiding neural processes.

    Academic text (1998)
  • In her role as a mediator, tactfulness allowed her to resolve conflicts smoothly.

  • Tactfulness is essential when discussing sensitive topics to avoid offending others.

Synonyms

finesse
vstactfulness
35 6.8

Careful, skilled handling of a difficult or sensitive situation

is more about steady sensitivity and considerate behaviour rather than clever skill
politeness
vstactfulness
26 1.3

Showing good manners and respect to other people

is more about skilled sensitive handling to prevent offence rather than manners
tact
vstactfulness
26 3.5

To say or do things carefully so you do not upset other people

is a broader careful skillful approach to handle people and situations
delicacy
vstactfulness
12 5.8

Skill and care when dealing with people or difficult situations

is more about overall sensitive considerate skill to avoid offence
thoughtfulness
vstactfulness
8 2.9

Being kind and careful about other people's needs and feelings

emphasizes practical skill to prevent offence beyond general kindness
savoir-faire
vstactfulness
3 9.5

To act or speak in the right way in social situations

is wider covering sensitivity beyond social etiquette and performance
respectfulness
vstactfulness
1 3.9

Polite and kind behavior toward other people's feelings and wishes

focuses more on avoiding upset through careful handling not only politeness
delicateness
vstactfulness
5.3

Careful, gentle way of dealing with people or difficult situations

is focused on being sensitive and skillful to prevent upsetting others
patience and tact
vstactfulness
2.8

Being calm and careful when dealing with difficult or sensitive situations

adds emphasis on skillful avoidance of offence rather than calm endurance
considerateness
vstactfulness
6.1

Care for other people's needs and feelings

includes careful skill to avoid upsetting, not just caring about needs

Antonyms

16 5.5

A lack of care for other people's feelings or needs

A lack of care for other people's feelings or social rules

How Tactful

diplomacy
  • Formal
201 3.7
tactfulness
4.9
discretion
57 4.6
politeness
26 1.3

Surface Forms

tactfulness singular
tactfulnesses plural

Morphology

tactfulness = tactful (transparent) = tact + ful + ness

Formed by adding the nominalizing suffix '-ness' to the adjective 'tactful', yielding a clear abstract noun.

Etymology

The word tactfulness comes from tact, which comes from a Latin word meaning 'touch'. Think of it as having a gentle 'touch' with people's feelings, so tactfulness means handling people carefully to avoid offending or upsetting them.