tact
7 synonyms and 2 antonyms for tact, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Skill in dealing with people or delicate situations without causing offense, even when being honest.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use tact
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
handle with tact
a lack of tact
diplomatic tact
Etymology
From French tact, itself from Latin tactus, "touch" — the idea of a sensitive, careful "touch" in dealing with people.
Full origin of tact →Frequently asked questions
What does “tact” mean?
The word “tact” means skill in dealing with people or delicate situations without causing offense, even when being honest. In plain terms, the ability to say or do the right thing in a sensitive situation without upsetting anyone.
How do you pronounce “tact”?
“Tact” is pronounced takt (/tækt/ in IPA).
How do you use “tact” in a sentence?
Here is “tact” used in a sentence: “She handled the layoffs with remarkable tact.”
What part of speech is “tact”?
“Tact” is a noun.
Where does the word “tact” come from?
The word “tact” comes from Latin. From French tact, itself from Latin tactus, "touch" — the idea of a sensitive, careful "touch" in dealing with people.
