WordValestatecraft
the skillful management of state affairs
In more detail
1. (noun) the skill and practice of managing state affairs and diplomacy
2. (noun) clever or skillful political maneuvering and tactics
Examples
- 1. The ambassador's years of statecraft helped negotiate a peaceful settlement between the two nations.
- 2. The president's enemies accused him of using dirty statecraft to win the election.
How to use statecraft
Statecraft refers to the skilled management of state affairs, especially in foreign relations and strategic political dealings. It emphasizes shrewdness and tactical intelligence rather than mere administration, and often carries a neutral or slightly formal tone, appearing frequently in political analysis, history, and diplomatic discourse. It differs from statesmanship in that statecraft can imply clever maneuvering, while statesmanship typically suggests ethical leadership.
Common phrases
- practice statecraft
- the art of statecraft
- diplomatic statecraft
- exercise statecraft
- statecraft and diplomacy
Synonyms
diplomacy · political maneuvering · governance · statesmanship · realpolitik
Word family
statecraft (noun)
A common mistake
Learners sometimes use statecraft to mean simply running a government, when it more specifically implies skillful strategy, cunning, or sophisticated political calculation.
Save this word in WordVale and it comes back for review right before you'd forget it — with pronunciation, real examples, and optional translations. One purchase, no subscription.
Get WordValeFREE 7-DAY TRIAL · iPHONE & iPAD