Definition of blandnext

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 Focus on Flavor Not all picky eaters want bland food. Karen Cicero, Parents, 21 Dec. 2025 On top of these favorable generic odds, current conditions are serving up few reasons to overthink the default stance of bland bullishness. Michael Santoli, CNBC, 20 Dec. 2025 Cast and crew are emotionally invested in the urgency of the material, but the bland competency of the whole affair saps it of power. Will Leitch, Vulture, 16 Dec. 2025 Forgetting To Season The key is to add enough salt, pepper, butter, and other flavorings to keep this simple grain from tasting bland. Libby Monteith Minor, Southern Living, 14 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for bland
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bland
Adjective
  • For an accent, consider introducing a deep blue shade to provide a soothing contrast.
    Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Nov. 2025
  • The soothing, antioxidant-rich formula offers enough coverage that it can be used in lieu of a tinted moisturizer or lightweight foundation.
    Emily Orofino, Vogue, 30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • This can support the aircraft’s weight, allowing a gentle descent with the wings level.
    Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 8 Nov. 2025
  • And so, shortly after his startling, spirit-lifting victory in the primary last spring, the gentle flood of inquiries commenced.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • The hardware is built for intimacy, pairing a soft exterior with full-body sensors that react to a user’s touch on its head or neck.
    Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 7 Jan. 2026
  • So uncompromising as to turn hard heads into soft behinds.
    Marcus Thompson II, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Check out which Tiny Desk is most likely to surprise you, what has the most mellow groove and more.
    Brittney Melton, NPR, 30 Dec. 2025
  • If Lopatin has increasingly pushed his solo music into a more over-the-top, dramatized mode over the years (with the refreshing exception of this year’s mellow Tranquilizer), all that theatricality finally finds a good outlet here, lifting the material to grandiose and otherworldly places.
    Sam Goldner, Pitchfork, 23 Dec. 2025
Adjective
  • The blast was set off on a concrete surface to replicate an urban environment, with air temperatures around 25 degrees Celsius, typical of mild weather conditions.
    Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 9 Nov. 2025
  • In fact, David Landsberg, the President & CEO at Goodwill Industries of South Florida, says that most decorative home goods made of glass, metal, or ceramic can easily be cleaned with a simple combination of mild dish soap and warm water.
    Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • All worth watching, though perhaps with seasonal factors favorable, earnings clocking in near a 12% annual growth pace and credit markets showing little stress, a modest wobble is enough to skim away some froth and revert the market to its benign trend.
    Michael Santoli, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2025
  • However, consuming a lot of beta carotene-rich foods may cause a benign, temporary condition called carotenodermia, which causes the skin to turn yellowish-orange.
    Carrie Madormo, Verywell Health, 5 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Bland.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bland. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on bland

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