SMOOTH Synonyms: 359 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

smooth 1 of 2

adjective

ˈsmüt͟h

Definition of smooth

as in sophisticated

having or showing very polished and worldly manners a smooth salesman of expensive jewelry

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in easy

involving minimal difficulty or effort it should be smooth going from this point on

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in plane

having a surface without bends, breaks, or irregularities a smooth skating rink

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in calm

free from emotional or mental agitation his smooth disposition and leadership qualities lend themselves well to the position

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

smooth

2 of 2

verb

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Its formula combines peptides, niacinamide, and exfoliating lipohydroxy acid to help skin look smoother and brighter, while keeping it hydrated for hours. — Jenny Berg, Vogue, 19 Oct. 2026 The report examined two scenarios involving a relatively smooth transition. — Sheena Rossiter, NPR, 19 Oct. 2026

Verb

Furneaux appears to have understood that marketing Mai as a prominent figure would smooth his British reception. — Saar Shahar, The Conversation, 12 Oct. 2026 The setup smooths the music’s flux without sacrificing the flavor of all the places and styles the album spans. — Stephen Kearse, Pitchfork, 9 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for smooth

Recent Examples of Synonyms for smooth

Adjective

Yet, as in many speculative markets, sophisticated participants often have access to better information, stronger analytical tools and more advanced risk-management techniques than retail participants, giving them an informational edge.

— Aneri Jambusaria, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
The quick start guide is helpful for getting the microwave ready to use, while a more extensive booklet provides the nitty-gritty details on settings and modes like the sophisticated sensor-reheating functions (more on that later).

— Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of sophisticated

Adjective

Airscope lets scientists record brain activity at the cellular level even when multiple animals move and interact naturally, making real-world neuroscience experiments much easier.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 21 Oct. 2026
Their contracts can run hundreds of pages, making harmful terms easy to bury.

— Emma Witman, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of easy

Adjective

The cast iron hand held press at the flat top grill has an accumulation of encrusted grease.

— NWA Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026
At the denouement, Kember is completely alone, his flat, narcotized baritone dripping onto the faded guitar notes like melted mercury.

— Gabriel Szatan, Pitchfork, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of flat

Adjective

Clear skies and calm winds will help temperatures drop into the mid- to upper 30s by early Saturday, forecasters said.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 15 Oct. 2026
Methanol masers have previously been detected in planet-forming disks around turbulent high-mass protostars, but COMPASS’ observations are the first detection of them around calmer lower-mass protostars.

— Keith Cooper, Space.com, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of calm

Verb

CliniSync, Ohio’s statewide nonprofit health information exchange, facilitates the exchange of patients’ information, like lab results, across institutions.

— Alex Rosenblat — CalMatters, STAT, 15 Oct. 2026
For instance, some encode genes that boost bacterial survival and facilitate genetic exchange, helping microbes adapt to extreme toxicity.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of facilitate

Verb

While this isn’t limited to Apple’s own devices, the newest iPhone models will definitely carry the biggest value and shave the most off your new Duo.

— Kelsey Fogarty, PC Magazine, 16 Oct. 2026
Like almost winning a race, almost shaving a second off my time for the 3200m run, my event in high school, the one that got me into college, a recruit for someone else to gamble on.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of shave

Verb

The asymmetrical hemline of the sweater is right on trend and makes the whole look feel much more intentional, while the slouchy silhouette still looks polished enough for a coffee run after landing.

— Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 18 Oct. 2026
Almost all of them seemed empty, like houses closed for the season, but a handful had signs of life—crewmen at the railings, polishing the brightwork, as if getting ready to leave.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of polish

Adjective

The brusque treatment of an executive of Bajaria’s stature is a sign that no one is safe from scrutiny, and no one should ever count on making a graceful exit.

— Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 17 Oct. 2026
Minervini calmed down from there, delivering a more graceful goodbye.

— Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of graceful

Browse Nearby Words

smooching

smooth

smoothbore

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Smooth.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smooth. Accessed 22 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of smooth

adjective

verb

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