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verb

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

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 smooth
Adjective
The new mechanism is also designed for smoother removal. New Atlas, 21 Mar. 2025 Operation is effortless thanks to the fine tuning of the works within, with snappy feedback and buttery smooth action. Blake Buettner, Robb Report, 21 Mar. 2025
Verb
Diversification can smooth the ride and mitigate the impact on investors when a high-flyer like Tesla hits turbulence. Shahar Ziv, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025 The result is an indulgent, cooling formula that strengthens your skin barrier, smooths fine lines, and boosts your natural glow. Deanna Pai, Allure, 8 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for smooth
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smooth
Adjective
  • In a world of increasingly frequent and sophisticated digital threats, the loss of cybersecurity personnel could weaken America’s defenses against ransomware, espionage, and infrastructure disruption.
    Solange Charas, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
  • The engagement algorithms for such platforms are vastly less sophisticated than the ones that will be deployed in agentic A.I.
    Jaron Lanier, The New Yorker, 22 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • With a stainless steel construction and comfortable handle, this tool is durable, easy to use and versatile enough to work on nearly any type of fur.
    BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 21 Mar. 2025
  • These groups are color-coded by difficulty level: yellow (easiest), green, blue, and purple (hardest).
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Plus this episode also delivers peak unhinged Lex while he's stranded on an island post-plane crash and suffering from malaria, which leads to a moment that teases his natural killer instincts that he's kept so well hidden from Clark, and the world, so far.
    Christian Holub, EW.com, 16 Oct. 2021
  • But those cars were powered by pushrod engines with conventional cross-plane cranks.
    Rich Ceppos, Car and Driver, 2 Oct. 2022
Adjective
  • Once water has been introduced, provide the dog with treats and praise while bathing them, and remain calm and confident.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 2025
  • For example, research at the Ivey Business School reveals that temperance (being calm, composed, patient, prudent, and self-controlled) is one of the weakest character dimensions for many people.
    Mary Crossan, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Final Advice While advanced analytic techniques are uncommon in CX practices today, CX programs and leaders should challenge themselves and find a path to facilitate, collaborate, or expand the CX mandate to pursue a more quantitative approach that will prepare them for the future of CX.
    Forrester, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
  • One thing the timing of the renewal could facilitate is a shorter break between seasons: Due in part to writers and actors striking for better contracts in 2023, season two premiered almost three years after the conclusion of the first run.
    Rick Porter, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Derrin claims Farley would also shave and put his body hair on people and their food.
    David Matthews, New York Daily News, 26 Mar. 2025
  • Revisited epic, and its power is undiminished even though Dylan shaved off some of the latter verses.
    Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 26 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Due to Star Wars Outlaws’ reception, particularly about its glitches, developer Ubisoft took the extra time to polish Assassin’s Creed Shadows.
    George Yang, Rolling Stone, 18 Mar. 2025
  • The 80-room property was purchased in 2009 by the R Collection, a group of 12 luxurious hotels owned by the Rocchi family, and has since been polished to five-star standards.
    Gina DeCaprio Vercesi, Travel + Leisure, 13 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • For six seasons, viewers knew Susan Kelechi Watson as Beth Pearson, Randall’s (Sterling K. Brown) intelligent, unflappable and graceful wife.
    Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 20 Mar. 2025
  • The result is a flattened film that, in the process of trying to capture the suppression and restraint of something graceful and unspoken, flattens it in the process too.
    Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 18 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Smooth.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smooth. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.

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