diplomatize: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

very low
UKdɪˈpləʊmətaɪzUSdɪˈploʊməˌtaɪz

formal, literary, archaic

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Quick answer

What does “diplomatize” mean?

to act as or like a diplomat.

Audio

Pronunciation

Definition

Meaning and Definition

to act as or like a diplomat; to employ diplomatic methods.

To engage in diplomacy or tactful negotiation; to make diplomatic.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

No significant differences in usage; the word is equally rare in both varieties.

Connotations

May carry a formal or archaic tone.

Frequency

Extremely rare in contemporary usage; more likely encountered in 19th-century texts.

Grammar

How to Use “diplomatize” in a Sentence

transitive (e.g., to diplomatize a dispute)intransitive (e.g., to diplomatize with a rival)

Vocabulary

Collocations

medium
attempt to diplomatizeskill to diplomatize
weak
diplomatize a situationdiplomatize the negotiations

Examples

Examples of “diplomatize” in a Sentence

verb

British English

  • He sought to diplomatize the colonial dispute.

American English

  • They attempted to diplomatize the trade negotiations.

Usage

Meaning in Context

Business

Rarely used; modern business English prefers 'negotiate' or 'mediate'.

Academic

May appear in historical or political science texts discussing diplomacy.

Everyday

Virtually never used.

Technical

Not used in technical contexts.

Vocabulary

Synonyms of “diplomatize”

Weak

tactfully handlesmooth over

Vocabulary

Antonyms of “diplomatize”

Watch out

Common Mistakes When Using “diplomatize”

  • Using 'diplomatize' in modern contexts where 'negotiate' or 'mediate' is appropriate; overestimating its frequency.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

No, it is very rare and considered archaic.

It is not recommended; use 'negotiate', 'mediate', or 'handle diplomatically' instead.

It is a verb.

Yes, the related nouns are 'diplomat' and 'diplomacy'.

to act as or like a diplomat.

Diplomatize is usually formal, literary, archaic in register.

Diplomatize: in British English it is pronounced dɪˈpləʊmətaɪz, and in American English it is pronounced dɪˈploʊməˌtaɪz. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think of 'diplomat' + '-ize' (to make or act like). A diplomat tries to resolve conflicts, so to diplomatize is to act like a diplomat.

Conceptual Metaphor

DIPLOMACY IS A TOOL/CRAFT (to diplomatize is to skillfully apply diplomatic tools).

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap
The ambassador's main task was to the disagreement.
Multiple Choice

Which of the following best describes 'diplomatize'?