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 Now Morisseau, who is half Haitian and half Black American, is exploring a new setting, that of urbane Port-au-Prince, some years after the 2010 earthquake, a natural disaster that brought to the fore, with devastating clarity, the unnatural cycles of exploitation that threaten to define Haiti. Doreen St. Félix, The New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2024 The independent clothing brand, founded in 2013 by designer Dan Snyder, reflects everything that’s artful, urbane and unapologetically audacious about a borough legendary for its feisty creativity. David Hochman, Forbes, 19 Sep. 2024 In contrast to the movement’s ragtag AK47-totting freedom fighters, the moderate and urbane Ramos-Horta championed the Timor-Leste cause in foreign capitals and especially at the U.N. Charlie Campbell / Dili, Timor-Leste, TIME, 4 Sep. 2024 The classical-meets-country-house architecture offers a relaxed lifestyle fused with urbane glamour and a thoroughly modern slate of creature comforts. Mark David, Robb Report, 18 June 2024 See All Example Sentences for urbane
Recent Examples of Synonyms for urbane
Adjective
  • These symbols are part of an entirely undeciphered script from a sophisticated ancient civilization thousands of years old.
    Jessie Yeung, CNN, 28 Feb. 2025
  • The military's main findings were that the region's most powerful and sophisticated military misread Hamas' intentions, underestimated its capabilities and was wholly unprepared for the surprise attack by thousands of heavily armed militants in the early morning hours of a major Jewish holiday.
    MOHAMMAD JAHJOUH, WAFAA SHURAFA, NATALIE MELZER AND TIA GOLDENBERG THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, arkansasonline.com, 28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Going back to child labor policies reminiscent of the Gilded Age is not an answer in a civilized society to address worker shortages and disrupted supply chains.
    Thomas Kennedy, Orlando Sentinel, 27 Feb. 2025
  • And Smith wants to use it as a stage for something sprawling and meaningful — the latest pronouncement on how savage the supposedly civilized become when the chips are down.
    Mike Hale, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Pearce’s warm, earthy vocal tones highlight the song’s graceful melody.
    Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 24 Feb. 2025
  • In many ways, writer-director Jing Yi’s graceful and ephemeral drama, The Botanist (Zhi Wu Xue Jia), plays out like your typical coming-of-age movie.
    Jordan Mintzer, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • This glides like a river from mouth to stomach, a sleek and slippery flow of semi dark delight with silky suave lithe tannins and flavors that include rum raisin, beef jerky, black berries and chocolate.
    Tom Mullen, Forbes, 23 Feb. 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
Adjective
  • But instead of being gracious, Trump booted Zelenskyy out of the White House, leaving the hero’s lunch on a tray in the hall, torpedoing his existential fight to save his battered country and Ukrainian lives.
    Maureen Dowd, The Mercury News, 4 Mar. 2025
  • Here’s a gracious one-bedroom in North Park Slope, close to the Park and Grand Army Plaza, with an elegant layout: a big foyer, with a large living room on one side, the bedroom on the other, and a kitchen in the middle.
    Kim Velsey, Curbed, 18 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Leaving a great glow behind, skin instantly feels softer and smoother.
    Celia Shatzman, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
  • The initial application is beautiful and smooth, no bad smell or taste.
    Kleigh Balugo, StyleCaster, 25 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Urbane.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/urbane. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

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