Synonyms of smooth

smooth 1 of 2

adjective

ˈsmüt͟h 

1

as in sophisticated

having or showing very polished and worldly manners

a smooth salesman of expensive jewelry

Synonyms & Similar Words

• sophisticated
• graceful
• civilized
• polished
• gracious
• suave
• urbane
• attractive
• slick
• serene
• svelte
• experienced
• confident
• debonair
• poised
• cultured
• unctuous
• cultivated
• cosmopolitan
• smart
• glib
• composed
• practiced
• appealing
• cavalier
• calm
• amiable
• seasoned
• placid
• metropolitan
• knowing
• collected
• undisturbed
• tranquil
• refined
• well-bred
• genteel
• unperturbed
• secure
• metro
• assured
• couth
• cool
• worldly-wise
• self-assured
• self-confident
• self-possessed
• schooled

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• wooden
• stiff
• uncomfortable
• green
• uneasy
• uncouth
• awkward
• clumsy
• classless
• stilted
• raw
• boorish
• clownish
• churlish
• ungraceful
• loutish
• rustic
• inexperienced
• gauche
• graceless
• provincial
• puerile
• parochial
• unrefined
• callow
• inelegant
• uncivilized
• unsophisticated
• uncultured
• ungainly
• unworldly
• stodgy
• rough-hewn
• gawky
• insecure
• diffident
• hick
• lubberly
• philistine

2

as in easy

involving minimal difficulty or effort

it should be smooth going from this point on

Synonyms & Similar Words

• easy
• simple
• cheap
• ready
• effortless
• painless
• quick
• soft
• fluid
• straightforward
• fluent
• light
• royal
• snap
• downhill
• facile
• uncomplicated
• hands-down
• transparent
• clear
• obvious
• distinct
• unchallenging
• mindless
• unmistakable
• evident
• unambiguous
• apparent
• manifest
• plain
• unequivocal
• clear-cut
• idiotproof
• palpable
• patent
• perspicuous
• open-and-shut

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• difficult
• rough
• hard
• tough
• stiff
• severe
• arduous
• strenuous
• formidable
• laborious
• killer
• exacting
• demanding
• murderous
• grueling
• painful
• labored
• toilsome
• herculean
• troublesome
• stressful
• oppressive
• burdensome
• complex
• onerous
• exhausting
• intricate
• complicated
• toilful
• problematic
• involved
• taxing
• knotty
• abstruse
• recondite

3

as in plane

having a surface without bends, breaks, or irregularities

a smooth skating rink

Synonyms & Similar Words

• plane
• flat
• level
• horizontal
• exact
• even
• uniform
• regular
• true
• flush
• vertical
• straight
• aligned
• tabular
• plumb

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• rough
• coarse
• uneven
• bumpy
• lumpy
• irregular
• warped
• wavy
• undulating
• inexact
• unsmoothed
• undulatory
• unaligned
• pitted
• pockmarked
• pocky

4

as in calm

free from emotional or mental agitation

his smooth disposition and leadership qualities lend themselves well to the position

Synonyms & Similar Words

• calm
• serene
• peaceful
• composed
• tranquil
• collected
• placid
• steady
• unruffled
• undisturbed
• confident
• unperturbed
• untroubled
• cool
• possessed
• limpid
• at peace
• sedate
• mellow
• together
• unshaken
• relaxed
• unworried
• centered
• level
• equal
• recollected
• relieved
• self-possessed
• well-balanced
• nonchalant
• self-composed
• coolheaded
• equable
• unflappable
• imperturbable
• easygoing
• carefree
• unshakable
• detached
• affable
• breezy
• nerveless
• sober
• even
• well-adjusted
• even-keeled
• assured
• disciplined
• unconcerned
• dispassionate
• laid-back
• aloof
• indifferent
• stolid
• impassive
• phlegmatic
• self-contained
• loosey-goosey
• self-assured
• self-controlled
• bovine
• tranquilized
• happy-go-lucky
• devil-may-care

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• upset
• disturbed
• agitated
• perturbed
• anxious
• uneasy
• distressed
• bothered
• nervous
• unstrung
• worried
• unsettled
• restless
• tense
• jumpy
• unquiet
• flustered
• unglued
• jittery
• unhinged
• unstable
• discomposed
• skittish
• uptight
• high-strung

smooth

2 of 2

verb

1

as in to facilitate

to free from obstruction or difficulty

a willingness to compromise will smooth the way to an early agreement

Synonyms & Similar Words

• facilitate
• accelerate
• ease
• improve
• promote
• grease
• simplify
• loosen (up)
• speed
• pave the way (for)
• forward
• assist
• expedite
• help
• unclog
• aid
• hurry
• quicken
• hasten
• further
• rush
• straighten (out)
• streamline
• advance
• disentangle
• abet
• untangle

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• hinder
• impede
• complicate
• retard
• aggravate
• worsen
• sophisticate
• perplex

2

as in to shave

to make free from breaks, curves, or bumps

the workers smoothed the surface of the concrete before letting it dry

Synonyms & Similar Words

• shave
• flatten
• plane
• trim
• rake
• smoothen
• even
• lay
• level
• clip
• comb
• prune
• spread
• crop
• pare
• surface
• press
• card

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• rough
• roughen
• wrinkle
• bend
• kink
• coarsen
• pit
• dent
• rumple

3

as in to polish

to make smooth or glossy usually by repeatedly applying surface pressure

used fine sandpaper to smooth the face of the wood

Synonyms & Similar Words

• polish
• rub
• shine
• coat
• gloss
• scrub
• burnish
• sleek
• slick
• buff
• smoothen
• grind
• scrape
• sand
• dress
• finish
• furbish
• bob
• face
• glaze
• file
• brighten
• varnish
• bone
• japan
• lacquer
• veneer
• scour
• sandpaper
• sandblast
• lap
• rasp

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• rough (up)
• roughen
• ruffle
• scuff (up)

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of smooth are bland, diplomatic, politic, suave, and urbane. While all these words mean "pleasantly tactful and well-mannered," smooth suggests often a deliberately assumed suavity.

a smooth salesman

When might bland be a better fit than smooth?

While in some cases nearly identical to smooth, bland emphasizes mildness of manner and absence of irritating qualities.

a bland master of ceremonies

In what contexts can diplomatic take the place of smooth?

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

a diplomatic negotiator

Where would politic be a reasonable alternative to smooth?

In some situations, the words politic and smooth are roughly equivalent. However, politic implies shrewd as well as tactful and suave handling of people.

a cunningly politic manager

When can suave be used instead of smooth?

The words suave and smooth are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, suave suggests a specific ability to deal with others easily and without friction.

a suave public relations coordinator

When would urbane be a good substitute for smooth?

The words urbane and smooth can be used in similar contexts, but urbane implies high cultivation and poise coming from wide social experience.

an urbane traveler

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of smooth

Adjective

Lincoln Riley's tenure as head coach of the USC Trojans hasn't been smooth sailing. —Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 25 May 2026

Titaner claims that this mechanism feels smoother and can withstand up to one million presses without noticeable rebound loss. —Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 25 May 2026

Verb

Brussels also sought to smooth ties with Washington, finalizing a transatlantic trade deal even as the US drew down its troop presence in Europe. —Semafor Events, semafor.com, 22 May 2026

This smoothing foundation by Charlotte Tilbury, this Mac pressed powder that keeps shine at bay, and an Olaplex hair duo that’ll wash sweaty summer buildup right down the drain. —Averi Baudler, PEOPLE, 22 May 2026