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 The new Spot+Scrub Ai is the complete opposite and comparatively bland, thanks to its all-black exterior. Tyler Hayes, PC Magazine, 8 Sep. 2025 This is not bland comfort food. David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 31 Aug. 2025 And finally… Say goodbye to bland, empty walls and boring interiors. Jade Walker, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2025 DeVille traces the knockoff effect that happened over time, like when the unpredictable pop experimentalists of MGMT were succeeded—and commercially eclipsed—by bands with blander takes on their ideas (Capital Cities, Foster the People, Empire of the Sun). Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 29 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for bland
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bland
Adjective
  • With a skin-loving trifecta of hyaluronic acid, madecassoside (more commonly known as centella asiatica), and vitamin B5 (which binds to and holds water to moisturize the skin), the formula goes beyond basic moisturization, effectively smoothing, soothing, and repairing dry, tight skin.
    Danielle Cohen, Glamour, 18 Sep. 2025
  • Four soothing ways to help a sore throat.
    Rebecca Morin, USA Today, 17 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Still, the findings hint that raspberry leaf tea may support glucose control as a gentle, accessible complement to medication or other standard treatments.
    Christina Manian, Health, 19 Sep. 2025
  • These styles are also gentle and pliable against gums.
    BestReviews, Mercury News, 19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Athletique There is something edgy yet soft about a funnel-neck in a technical fabric—lean in and pair a wind- and water-resistant shell with trousers and sneakers for a touch of sport, or style it with a pencil skirt and kitten heels for a more feminine feel.
    Andrea Zendejas, Vogue, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Swift wore Elson 4, the brand’s best-selling blue-red, but the bullet-proof formula comes in 12 beautiful hues ranging from a soft beige peach (Nude Cabaret) to a deep bronzed rose (Flesh 3).
    Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Get the recipe > The mellow sweetness of summer corn and lobster meat harmonize beautifully in this ultimate summer soup.
    SAVEUR Editors, Saveur, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Casting the sweet-faced and unflappably mellow Dano — Eli Sunday his Vadim Baranov is not — as Putin’s kingmaker also assures that Assayas isn’t keen on high drama, with conversations in conference rooms plotting totalitarian takeover rarely rising above library-voice level.
    Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 31 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • LaViola agrees, adding that the mild climate and general friendly atmosphere of the Raleigh-Durham area are also desirable factors.
    Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 14 Sep. 2025
  • This can pick up some milder forms of cognitive impairment but again is not a fully, extensive assessment.
    Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Lee Archinal, also a senior threat hunt analyst at Intel 471, explained that EDR data with short retention makes benign but rare behaviors — like opening Word once a month — look like anomalies.
    Tony Bradley, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
  • These early shifts—less COVID vaccination; fewer options for flu, MMR, and chickenpox vaccines; and, perhaps soon, delays to the hepatitis-B schedule—may seem benign enough.
    Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 18 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Bland.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bland. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.

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