Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of urbane are bland, diplomatic, politic, smooth, and suave. While all these words mean "pleasantly tactful and well-mannered," urbane implies high cultivation and poise coming from wide social experience.

an urbane traveler

When could bland be used to replace urbane?

In some situations, the words bland and urbane are roughly equivalent. However, bland emphasizes mildness of manner and absence of irritating qualities.

a bland master of ceremonies

When might diplomatic be a better fit than urbane?

The synonyms diplomatic and urbane are sometimes interchangeable, but diplomatic stresses an ability to deal with ticklish situations tactfully.

a diplomatic negotiator

When is politic a more appropriate choice than urbane?

While in some cases nearly identical to urbane, politic implies shrewd as well as tactful and suave handling of people.

a cunningly politic manager

Where would smooth be a reasonable alternative to urbane?

While the synonyms smooth and urbane are close in meaning, smooth suggests often a deliberately assumed suavity.

a smooth salesman

When can suave be used instead of urbane?

Although the words suave and urbane have much in common, suave suggests a specific ability to deal with others easily and without friction.

a suave public relations coordinator

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 urbane The thriller follows two urbane brothers who witness a baby being kidnapped from an impoverished mother at a railway station in rural India. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 26 May 2025 Lemon writes that international media tends to depict the metro dogs as urbane, independent citizens who know how to stay calm and go about their business in a crowd. Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 7 May 2025 It’s based on writer-director-star Alan Alda’s 1981 film of the same name—an urbane box-office hit that has since been overshadowed by quintessentially ’80s rom-coms like When Harry Met Sally. Judy Berman, Time, 1 May 2025 While the town prided itself as the most urbane, sophisticated place between St. Louis and San Francisco, drunkenness, gambling and debauchery, typical of any frontier mining camp, were the hallmarks of its nightlife. Richard Grant, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for urbane
Recent Examples of Synonyms for urbane
Adjective
  • Fabiana Filippi The intellectually sophisticated references behind Fabiana Filippi’s spring 2026 collection hinged on work of master photographers Vivian Maier, Arne Svenson and Luigi Ghirri, perfectly shown in the ultra-refined, textured daywear.
    Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2025
  • There were also more relaxed but sophisticated looks, such as the tunics and coats with mandarin collars.
    Kati Chitrakorn, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • One of the reasons why Israel should have a right to defend itself is Israel is a civilized country.
    Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025
  • Blyth provides a fitting foil to Jonsson’s softness with his endless spring of ruthless aggression, forcing Taylor’s primal survival instincts to butt against his more civilized sense that there has to be something more for him in this world.
    Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • In addition to beautiful blooms, October Magic® Ivory™ Camellia produces handsome evergreen foliage and develops a graceful, upright shape.
    Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Mickey, already back up top, stretched a graceful dive that made no splash.
    David Wright Faladé, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • OpenAI said ChatGPT is effectively a suave middleman for digital purchases, at least where the user’s personal information is concerned.
    Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 29 Sep. 2025
  • In season 1 of Nobody Wants This, audiences watched as aggressively honest podcast host Joanne (Kristen Bell) fell for surprisingly suave rabbi Noah (Adam Brody).
    Samantha Highfill, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • But these aren’t gods in oh-so-gracious robes or with armor or holding lightning bolts in their hands.
    David Lyman, Cincinnati Enquirer, 27 Sep. 2025
  • Though McCartney was seemingly gracious in his attendance, comparisons between Oasis and The Beatles have been rife over the years, some of which were even spearheaded by members of Oasis themselves.
    Chris Barilla, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • When shopping, look for ginger root that is firm and smooth.
    Susan Selasky, Freep.com, 4 Oct. 2025
  • Hamblin served the blended three-year-old rye finished in toasted barrel, which had a smooth, almost vanilla taste.
    Maggie Menderski, Louisville Courier Journal, 3 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Urbane.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/urbane. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.

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