Synonym Chooser

How is the word bland different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of bland are diplomatic, politic, smooth, suave, and urbane. While all these words mean "pleasantly tactful and well-mannered," bland emphasizes mildness of manner and absence of irritating qualities.

a bland master of ceremonies

When is diplomatic a more appropriate choice than bland?

The meanings of diplomatic and bland largely overlap; however, diplomatic stresses an ability to deal with ticklish situations tactfully.

a diplomatic negotiator

When could politic be used to replace bland?

Although the words politic and bland have much in common, politic implies shrewd as well as tactful and suave handling of people.

a cunningly politic manager

Where would smooth be a reasonable alternative to bland?

The synonyms smooth and bland are sometimes interchangeable, but smooth suggests often a deliberately assumed suavity.

a smooth salesman

When can suave be used instead of bland?

While in some cases nearly identical to bland, suave suggests a specific ability to deal with others easily and without friction.

a suave public relations coordinator

In what contexts can urbane take the place of bland?

While the synonyms urbane and bland are close in meaning, urbane implies high cultivation and poise coming from wide social experience.

an urbane traveler

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of bland Although interaction with others is a chore, Dexter manages a bland but likable persona. Barry Garron, HollywoodReporter, 1 Oct. 2025 Choose simple, bland foods that are easy to digest, such as bananas and toast. Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, Health, 20 Sep. 2025 While the buzz about Borderlands 4 has been mostly positive (aside from serious PC performance issues reported early on), the game’s bland opening feels out of keeping with the franchise, offering a reminder that Borderlands has always been about more than just slick gameplay. G Kirilloff, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025 The late 1900s saw a backlash to the bland, mass-market coffees of the previous decades. Kristina McGuirk, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for bland
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bland
Adjective
  • And though the interiors are truly the star of the show here, don’t forget to peer through the floor-to-ceiling windows; views of Arthur’s Seat serve as a soothing balm.
    Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 12 Oct. 2025
  • Designed with wellness in mind, the center’s architecture and amenities, such as natural lighting and soothing environments, aim to support both medical and emotional health.
    Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Their gentle warm-up then transitions into a dynamic aerial exercise, where both robots lift their legs into the air and perform a twist.
    Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2025
  • Union also shared a video, shot by Wade, where her father reacts to gentle teasing from his son-in-law.
    Cara Lynn Shultz, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The actress kept the rest of her look casual and texture-focused, pairing her mary janes with a soft gray sweater featuring an oversized ruffle neckline and a raw-hem denim miniskirt.
    Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2025
  • By cutting t-shirts into continuous strips and giving them a gentle stretch, the fabric curls into a soft, versatile yarn.
    Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 13 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Apples tend to be crisp with a tangy-sweet flavor, while pears are softer, with a grainier texture and a more mellow sweetness.
    Jillian Kubala, Health, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Powered by a mellow-yet rhythmic Afrobeats tune, the cheeky track finds Miko lusting over a stripper in this seductive narrative that captures an undeniable connection between the two.
    Tere Aguilera, Billboard, 3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Veteran Ram staffers noted a bigger crowd than usual for an open scrimmage, buoyed by Homecoming weekend and more than mild curiosity.
    Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 19 Oct. 2025
  • Plus, the breathable open backs will keep your feet feeling comfortable for those mild, sunny fall days.
    Jamie Allison Sanders, PEOPLE, 19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Sobotka’s lawsuit alleged he was diagnosed with benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), causing a frequent and uncontrollable need to urinate.
    Max Bultman, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
  • These neoplasm growths can be either benign or cancerous.
    Jacqueline Howard, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Bland.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bland. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on bland

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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