Logo
dictionary thesaurus

tact

noun
\ ˈtakt How to pronounce tact (audio) \

Definition of tact

1 : a keen sense of what to do or say in order to maintain good relations with others or avoid offense
2 : sensitive mental or aesthetic perception converted the novel into a play with remarkable skill and tact
Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym Do you change tack or tact? Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about tact

Keep scrolling for more

Synonyms & Antonyms for tact

Synonyms

diplomacy, tactfulness

Antonyms

clumsiness, insensitivity, tactlessness

Visit the Thesaurus for More 

Choose the Right Synonym for tact

tact, address, poise, savoir faire mean skill and grace in dealing with others. tact implies delicate and considerate perception of what is appropriate. questions showing a lack of tact address stresses dexterity and grace in dealing with new and trying situations and may imply success in attaining one's ends. brought it off with remarkable address poise may imply both tact and address but stresses self-possession and ease in meeting difficult situations. answered the accusations with unruffled poise savoir faire is likely to stress worldly experience and a sure awareness of what is proper or expedient. the savoir faire of a seasoned traveler

Do you change tack or tact?

Although some believe the word tact is short for tactics in phrases like "change tact" or "try a different tact," the correct word in such contexts is tack.

Tack in "change tack" and "try a different tack" means "a course or method of action especially when sharply divergent from that previously followed.”

Tack developed this meaning from its nautical applications. In sailing, tack can refer to the direction that a ship or boat is sailing in as it moves at an angle to the direction of the wind; or to a change from one direction to another direction; or to the distance traveled while sailing in a particular direction.

Tack developed the "course or method of action" meaning near the end of the 17th century; within 100 or so years, the phrase "change tack" was being used with the figurative meaning it has today.

While there is also a long history of people using tact where tack belongs, the use is widely shunned by usage guides, which means you might want to avoid it.

Did You Know?

This word came to English directly from French (a Latin-based language), where it can also mean simply "sense of touch". Dealing with difficult situations involving other people can require the kind of extreme sensitivity that our fingertips possess. As Lincoln once said, "Tact is the ability to describe others as they see themselves", which doesn't usually come naturally. Someone tactful can soothe the feelings of the most difficult people; a tactless person will generally make a bad situation worse.

Examples of tact in a Sentence

Far from joining polite society like the debutants of the past, the kids gleefully rip through social graces, alienating friends and sacrificing tact all in the name of creating a VIP room filled with people too young to drive themselves home. — Ana Marie Cox, Time, 24 Apr. 2006 The attorney general's lack of restraint and want of tact, on such an occasion … were clearly symptomatic of a considerable irritation, even rage. — Christopher Hitchens, Harper's, March 2001 In society tact is the great art that makes for civility, for civilization … — Jacques Barzun, From Dawn to Decadance, 2000 He did not clear his throat with badinage, as timidity teaches us to do, nor did he waste his breath with tact. — Earl Shorris, Harper's, September 1997 A man of gentle mien, he is inclined to use psychology and tact, rather than showboat heroics, when pursuing his murder inquiries. — Marilyn Stasio, New York Times Book Review, 1 Jan. 1989 The peace talks required great tact on the part of both leaders. I was surprised by his lack of tact.
See More

Recent Examples on the Web

 Winning has been hard to come by in Phoenix, but the pieces are in tact to move forward. — Damichael Cole, SI.com, "Five Young NBA Cores to Keep an Eye on This Year," 6 Aug. 2019 Baker vetoed the bill after previously attempting to amend the legislation to address his privacy concerns while still keeping the thrust of the proposal in tact. — Matt Murphy, BostonGlobe.com, "Governor Baker vetoes labor bill over cellphone privacy concerns," 2 Aug. 2019 Everything else is in tact, but Marc Gasol (34), Kyle Lowry (33) and Serge Ibaka (will be 30) are on the downside. — J. Michael, Indianapolis Star, "Ranking the NBA East: Where do Indiana Pacers stack up for 2019-20 season? It's complicated," 29 July 2019 Forest Preserve District police Chief Kelvin Pope, a one-time bodyguard of County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, said at the time the officer should have intervened but, as WTTW reported in 2018, supports keeping the force in tact. — Lisa Donovan, chicagotribune.com, "The Spin: Rev. Jesse Jackson blasts President Trump for ‘go back’ to where you came from tweets, days after asking him to pardon Blagojevich," 16 July 2019 The upgrade stayed true to the home's history and left 85 percent of the original structures and finishes in tact, according to the release. — Rebecca Hennes, Houston Chronicle, "Inside a one-of-a-kind architectural gem designed by famed architect Herb Paseur," 18 July 2019 Curiously, the author does not mention that two other female helpers of Gandhi also slept naked beside him—this omission may be out of tact, because one of them was Dr. Nayar, the devoted keeper of the Gandhi papers on which this book relies. — Ferdinand Mount, WSJ, "‘Gandhi: The Years That Changed the World’ Review: The Prophet as Politician," 1 Nov. 2018 Referring to her as middle-aged at the time lacks tact or any understanding of what women are trying to accomplish in the film industry. — Ed Stockly, latimes.com, "Calendar Letters: No apology necessary," 19 June 2018 In contemporary writing, consummate tact has been replaced by constant confession. — Joseph Epstein, WSJ, "‘Essayism’ Review: Tell Me a Bit (Less) About Yourself," 30 Nov. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'tact.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

See More

First Known Use of tact

1797, in the meaning defined at sense 2

History and Etymology for tact

French, sense of touch, from Latin tactus, from tangere to touch — more at tangent entry 2

Keep scrolling for more

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for tact

tact

noun
How to pronounce tact (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of tact

: the ability to do or say things without offending or upsetting other people

See the full definition for tact in the English Language Learners Dictionary

tact

noun
\ ˈtakt How to pronounce tact (audio) \

Kids Definition of tact

: the ability to do or say things without offending other people She settled the argument with tact.

Keep scrolling for more

WORD OF THE DAY

rambunctious

play

See Definitions and Examples

Get Word of the Day daily email!