urbane

adjective

ˌər-ˈbān How to pronounce urbane (audio)
Definition of urbanenext
as in sophisticated
having or showing very polished and worldly manners a gentlemanly and urbane host of elegant dinner parties

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 That’s because Jay made luxury seem urbane, sophisticated and distinctly Black. — Jabari M. Evans, The Conversation, 24 June 2026 There's cynic Kate (Fey) and her golden retriever husband Jack (Forte), even more cynical and gossipy Danny (Domingo) and his urbane husband Claude (Marco Calvani), Nick's aggrieved ex-wife Anne and his very pregnant girlfriend Ginny. — Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 28 May 2026 Alexander and Stephan Papp, the urbane brothers and qualified doctors behind this wellness resort, have over 50 years of medical experience between them and the latest state-of-the-art equipment on hand to ensure that learning to live longer for guests is also fabulously good fun. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 May 2026 The old game show features a panel of urbane socialites trying to guess the occupation of regular Americans (and, blindfolded, the identity of celebrities). — Dan Zak, The Atlantic, 3 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for urbane
Recent Examples of Synonyms for urbane
  1. sophisticated
  2. civilized
  3. graceful
  4. suave
  5. gracious
  6. smooth
Adjective
  • Now, advanced and sophisticated products are helping growing companies extend the impact of their existing workforces in ways that previously weren’t realistically attainable.
    — Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Iran’s state media, in turn, has waged a sophisticated propaganda campaign, publishing a barrage of content and misinformation meant to sway public opinion of the wider war and diminish its government’s losses.
    — Cora Engelbrecht, New Yorker, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of sophisticated
Adjective
  • Leave it in its normal mode and the SQ5 behaves like a civilized luxury crossover.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 22 Aug. 2026
  • The car may be more civilized than its predecessors, but its mill is still expected to produce up to 900 hp and redline at 9,000 rpm.
    — Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of civilized
Adjective
  • The driveway, lined with perennial beds, has a graceful curve on its way to a large circle that allows guests to park near the walkway to the front porch.
    — James Alexander, Hartford Courant, 23 Aug. 2026
  • The country is mired in a war with Iran with no graceful exit opportunities; a new round of tariffs threatens to further disrupt fragile global trade relations; and the domestic economy faces inflation combined with paltry growth.
    — Zachary Karabell, Washington Post, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of graceful
Adjective
  • In the first series, Bateman plays Vince, a charismatic and chaotic screw-up who reunites with his brother, suave bar owner Jake (Jude Law).
    — Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 11 Aug. 2026
  • The dynamic is at its best when Judah glides over IsoKeys’ beats like two kids trying to be suave while hopping an MTA turnstile with one tap.
    — Lei Takanashi, Pitchfork, 27 July 2026
Definition of suave
Adjective
  • If this doesn’t seem like a gracious revelation, there’s a point to the deep horror that Manchevski draws out here.
    — Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 21 Aug. 2026
  • When the two first meet in a dressing room during the pilot, Jaymes is gracious while Barnes is condescending.
    — Maira Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of gracious
Adjective
  • The essence has a high concentration of PDRN, which promotes cellular repair and collagen production, plus niacinamide and copper peptides to leave your skin firmer and smoother.
    — Essence Wiley, InStyle, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The track, which blends smooth R&B vocals with contemporary pop production, came almost a decade after bits of the song first leaked on social media.
    — Caché McClay, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of smooth

Browse Nearby Words

urban
urbane
urbanite
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Cite this Entry

“Urbane.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/urbane. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.

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