bland

adjective

ˈbland How to pronounce bland (audio)
Definition of blandnext
as in soothing
not harsh or stern especially in nature or effect bland food that was good for babies and invalids

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of bland are diplomatic, politic, smooth, suave, and urbane. While all these words mean "pleasantly tactful and well-mannered," bland emphasizes mildness of manner and absence of irritating qualities.

a bland master of ceremonies

When is diplomatic a more appropriate choice than bland?

The meanings of diplomatic and bland largely overlap; however, diplomatic stresses an ability to deal with ticklish situations tactfully.

a diplomatic negotiator

When could politic be used to replace bland?

Although the words politic and bland have much in common, politic implies shrewd as well as tactful and suave handling of people.

a cunningly politic manager

Where would smooth be a reasonable alternative to bland?

The synonyms smooth and bland are sometimes interchangeable, but smooth suggests often a deliberately assumed suavity.

a smooth salesman

When can suave be used instead of bland?

While in some cases nearly identical to bland, suave suggests a specific ability to deal with others easily and without friction.

a suave public relations coordinator

In what contexts can urbane take the place of bland?

While the synonyms urbane and bland are close in meaning, 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 bland Then, follow it up with a bland, gentle moisturizer free of exfoliating actives—this will help hydrate the skin, and protect against dryness. —Caroline C. Boyle, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2025 One was a perfectionist who gave performances of stunning power that sometimes became smoothed out and even bland through repetition; the other was full of surprises—always discovering things, a sensibility always in the making. —David Denby, The Atlantic, 1 Apr. 2025 The new Snow White represents progressive mediocrity — the antagonism between Snow White and her evil stepmother (Gal Gadot) is bland and uninteresting after the remarkable modern version White as Snow that starred Lou de Laâge and Isabelle Huppert. —Armond White, National Review, 26 Mar. 2025 The whodunit's central mystery is also half-baked: the death of Wynter is as bland as Esposito's character is in flashbacks. —Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for bland
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bland
  1. soothing
  2. gentle
  3. soft
  4. mellow
  5. mild
  6. benign
Adjective
  • Where to watch: Prime Video, Peacock Classical Baby For a more soothing musical option, try HBO’s ‘90s show Classical Baby.
    — Kara Nesvig, Parents, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Speaking of Nancy Meyers and Steve Martin, there’s probably nothing more soothing than watching Meryl Streep cook in a gorgeous Santa Barbara kitchen.
    — Emma Specter, Vogue, 6 Apr. 2025
Definition of soothing
Adjective
  • Momoa opted for softer style, wearing a suit in a gentle pink tone.
    — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Her soothing voice and gentle manner is especially appealing to little ones.
    — Kara Nesvig, Parents, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of gentle
Adjective
  • The Lightweight Sweats Classic Zip Hoodie is incredibly soft and pairs beautifully with their ultra-soft ribbed pieces like the Ribbed Modal Body Long Sleeve.
    — Sarah Boyd, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Crafted from lightweight, sturdy beechwood, this pro-kneading, lymphatic-draining tool is designed with soft, rounded edges that make for comfy gliding across your skin (go ahead and pair it with a serum or lotion for extra slip).
    — Allure, Allure, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of soft
Adjective
  • An eight-month-old Gruyère is mellow with a caramel aroma.
    — Betsy Andrews, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The Animal Collective member’s new album, Sinister Grift, is the perfect mellow psychedelia for a sunny Pasadena afternoon.
    — Dan Reilly, Vulture, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of mellow
Adjective
  • The adverse events were considered generally mild to moderate, according to the company, with upset stomach the most commonly reported.
    — Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Note that there will be differences in heat levels and texture: Many brands make hot and mild varieties, and harissa can range from loose and sauce-like to thick and pasty.
    — Sheela Prakash, Bon Appetit Magazine, 17 Apr. 2025
Definition of mild
Adjective
  • The memo also noted that a July 2024 colonoscopy revealed diverticulosis and a benign polyp.
    — Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 13 Apr. 2025
  • The hole dubbed Magnolia in the club’s lexicon fits that description, especially after officials stretched the once-benign par-4 by 40 yards to 495 — and still a par-4.
    — Bob Spear, Charlotte Observer, 13 Apr. 2025
Definition of benign

Browse Nearby Words

blanching
bland
blandish
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Cite this Entry

“Bland.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bland. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

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