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 After 26 years spent working around Hart’s erratic binges and missing mornings, Rodgers (Andrew Scott at his most urbane) has found a new partner in Oscar Hammerstein (Simon Delaney), a large, bluff man who reveres Hart as his profession’s sage. Stephanie Bunbury, Deadline, 18 Feb. 2025 The lounge exudes an urbane vibe reminiscent of those found in Paris, Barcelona, or San Francisco. Hudson Lindenberger, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025 In the years since this novel was released, popular culture has fallen in love with the urbane, suave and sophisticated version of Lecter that lives in our zeitgeist. S.a. Cosby, New York Times, 22 Feb. 2025 Tony Roberts, the urbane supporting actor known for his collaborations with Woody Allen in six films — including the Oscar best picture winner Annie Hall — and two Broadway plays, died Friday. Mike Barnes, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for urbane
Recent Examples of Synonyms for urbane
Adjective
  • Modern manufacturing already relies on robotics, computer vision, predictive maintenance and sophisticated supply chain optimization.
    Richard Lebovitz, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
  • Using some sophisticated math, the team found that the most likely mass of the black hole is 600,000 or so times the mass of the sun.
    Phil Plait, Scientific American, 22 May 2025
Adjective
  • Two highly modern, eminently civilized nations were plunged into chaos.
    Kelly McKinney, Chicago Tribune, 12 May 2025
  • International good faith, a sister of democracy, springs from the will of civilized nations of men to respect the rights and liberties of other nations of men.
    Tom Rogers, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • This is graceful, quietly intelligent filmmaking—including a touch of unsentimental magic realism involving a wise and beautiful Norwegian Forest Cat.
    Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 23 May 2025
  • Marked by a graceful melancholia and filled with daunting technical feats, especially the director’s signature, logistics-defying long takes, his films are beautifully realized meditations on nostalgia and loss in which the cinema tends to be a character itself.
    Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 23 May 2025
Adjective
  • Well integrated suave tannins and red fruit and flavors that include blueberries in this light and fine juice.
    Tom Mullen, Forbes.com, 11 May 2025
  • Art Deco has never really gone out of style: Even after a century, the zigzag meanders, suave ladies and elegant lines associated with it still define sophistication.
    Jordan Riefe, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2025
Adjective
  • Perry was also quite gracious when another fan in the crowd handed her an album to sign.
    Ross Raihala, Twin Cities, 14 May 2025
  • And yet when people need a portal into or proxy for spiritual awakening, Alice Coltrane’s music often becomes integral, a newfound household name, because her staggered textures are gracious enough to accommodate both the ascetic and the philistine.
    Harmony Holiday, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Stock up on comfortable sneakers marked down to as little as $21 and a smooth, stretchy bra slashed by 60 percent.
    Isabel Garcia, People.com, 21 May 2025
  • The technology was working, so everything moved a lot smoother.
    Jeff Spry, Space.com, 21 May 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Urbane.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/urbane. Accessed 27 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on urbane

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!