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 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 Oliveira’s father was a wealthy industrialist, and a view from the old house’s perspective invokes the comforts that his family’s prosperity afforded, and, with these, the inner vistas, the aesthetic initiation that opened up to him in his urbane youth. Richard Brody, New Yorker, 26 Mar. 2025 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 See All Example Sentences for urbane
Recent Examples of Synonyms for urbane
Adjective
  • The Securities and Exchange Commission has accused Edwin Brant Frost IV and his private lending company First Liberty Building & Loan with allegedly presiding over a sophisticated $140 million Ponzi scheme, according to a civil complaint filed on Thursday in federal court in Atlanta.
    Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 11 July 2025
  • Muli’s special smart technology features intelligence residence functions that control the shades, lighting with unique settings for morning and evening, air management and is outfitted with a sophisticated security system.
    Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 10 July 2025
Adjective
  • This is far, far beneath the dignity of a civilized society.
    Steve Bousquet, Sun Sentinel, 12 July 2025
  • Honoring and showing gratitude to those who step up to help others regardless of their origins is one sign of a civilized society that recognizes the worth of all human beings.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 10 July 2025
Adjective
  • Her playing was poised and expressive throughout, favoring subtlety over drama and marked by graceful nuance.
    Sheila Regan, Twin Cities, 11 July 2025
  • The building itself, majestic and graceful, holds an immediate promise of well-being.
    Rona Berg, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
Adjective
  • Will — who has a cameo in the new film led by David Corenswet as Clark Kent/Superman 47 years after his father first portrayed the superhero in 1978 — looked suave in a pinstripe blue suit over a relaxed white button-up, while Dubin rocked a slinky, sparkly silver spaghetti-strap gown.
    Jen Juneau, People.com, 8 July 2025
  • Excited fans cheer and snap videos as the boy-band star — looking suave in an open button-down shirt and shades — passes by.
    Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 7 July 2025
Adjective
  • The man was gifted, gracious, often generous and seldom mean-spirited.
    Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 10 July 2025
  • But goodness gracious, the Rockies are only (14-36) under Schaeffer after going 7-33 under Black.
    Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 8 July 2025
Adjective
  • For detangling, expect the spray to work through knots so all that’s left are smooth strands that are much easier to style.
    Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 8 July 2025
  • And to make every departure and arrival a smooth, stumble-free, and social media–worthy occasion, this throne also swivels 45 degrees—like that of a 1960 Chrysler—to ease ingress and egress.
    Brett Berk, Robb Report, 8 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Urbane.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/urbane. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.

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