statecraft

/ˈsteɪtkrɑːft/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈsteɪtkræft/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈstāt-ˌkraft/ (ame, mw)

statecraft — noun

1. the ability to lead a country well, especially through wise choices in politics

1.名詞C1
釋義

the ability to lead a country well, especially through wise choices in politics and in dealing with other nations

例句

Voters praised the president's statecraft after she ended the long border conflict peacefully.

abstract noun describing skilled national leadership

Good statecraft means keeping the country safe while still treating weaker neighbours fairly.

subject of a defining 'means' clause

同義詞
  • diplomacy

    narrower — focuses on handling relations between countries, not running the whole government

  • governance

    more neutral and structural; describes the system of ruling rather than personal skill

  • statesmanship

    very close, but stresses the wise, principled character of a leader more than the practical craft

反義詞
  • misrule

    leading a country badly, with poor or unjust decisions

用法筆記

Almost always uncountable and singular; you speak of someone's statecraft, not 'a statecraft' or 'statecrafts'. Often paired with an adjective of skill (skilful, masterful, clumsy).

常見錯誤

❌He showed many statecrafts during the crisis.
✅He showed great statecraft during the crisis.
💡statecraft is uncountable, so it has no plural form.
❌Her statecraft of the factory was impressive.
✅Her management of the factory was impressive.
💡statecraft is only about running a country or its relations with other nations, not a business.