suave

adjective

ˈswäv How to pronounce suave (audio)
Definition of suavenext
as in sophisticated
having or showing very polished and worldly manners the suave gentleman was a great favorite of the elegant ladies who attended parties at the embassy

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of suave are bland, diplomatic, politic, smooth, and urbane. While all these words mean "pleasantly tactful and well-mannered," suave suggests a specific ability to deal with others easily and without friction.

a suave public relations coordinator

When is it sensible to use bland instead of suave?

The words bland and suave are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, bland emphasizes mildness of manner and absence of irritating qualities.

a bland master of ceremonies

When would diplomatic be a good substitute for suave?

Although the words diplomatic and suave have much in common, diplomatic stresses an ability to deal with ticklish situations tactfully.

a diplomatic negotiator

When might politic be a better fit than suave?

The meanings of politic and suave largely overlap; however, politic implies shrewd as well as tactful and suave handling of people.

a cunningly politic manager

In what contexts can smooth take the place of suave?

In some situations, the words smooth and suave are roughly equivalent. However, smooth suggests often a deliberately assumed suavity.

a smooth salesman

When can urbane be used instead of suave?

The synonyms urbane and suave are sometimes interchangeable, 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 suave During the brief run-through, Segel wrapped an olive green towel around his waist and waited at the bar without explanation, sometimes looking suave while waving at passersby. —Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY, 24 Feb. 2025 But her no-encore performance does get the attention of her suave boss (Hugh Grant). —Ew Staff Published, EW.com, 20 Mar. 2025 This glides like a river from mouth to stomach, a sleek and slippery flow of semi dark delight with silky suave lithe tannins and flavors that include rum raisin, beef jerky, black berries and chocolate. —Tom Mullen, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2025 In the years since this novel was released, popular culture has fallen in love with the urbane, suave and sophisticated version of Lecter that lives in our zeitgeist. —S.a. Cosby, New York Times, 22 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for suave
Recent Examples of Synonyms for suave
  1. sophisticated
  2. graceful
  3. smooth
  4. civilized
  5. urbane
  6. gracious
  7. polished
Adjective
  • The sophisticated bouquet features a monochrome rose and carnation mix that any mom would be thrilled to receive.
    — Sarah Madaus, Architectural Digest, 17 Apr. 2025
  • The cooler tones within this taupe shade are sophisticated and elegant when paired with veiny marble details.
    — Heather Bien, Southern Living, 17 Apr. 2025
Definition of sophisticated
Adjective
  • As with most new pursuits, our learning curve was steep and our movements the antithesis of graceful.
    — Tim Chester, AFAR Media, 16 Apr. 2025
  • The graceful curvature of the leather seatbacks and straps encasing the sofas were a marvel, somehow both sturdy and delicate.
    — Liam Hess, Vogue, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of graceful
Adjective
  • These aren’t just cosmetic—they’re the kinds of behind-the-scenes changes that help make an already stellar game feel even smoother.
    — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
  • Each edge of this triangle-esque tool serves a unique purpose: a smooth, long side for sweeping over wider areas like calves, arms, and thighs; a precision tip for targeted acupressure; and a ridged edge for digging into tense tissue.
    — Allure, Allure, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of smooth
Adjective
  • The education of a nation’s citizenry, whether public or private, is the heartbeat of any sustaining and civilized culture.
    — Patricia A. Daniel, Baltimore Sun, 13 Apr. 2025
  • What started as a civilized, postwork affair with a sushi station escalated for many of the guests as more and more martinis were drunk from Madeline’s martini bar.
    — Elise Taylor, Vogue, 10 Mar. 2025
Definition of civilized
Adjective
  • While the town prided itself as the most urbane, sophisticated place between St. Louis and San Francisco, drunkenness, gambling and debauchery, typical of any frontier mining camp, were the hallmarks of its nightlife.
    — Richard Grant, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Mar. 2025
  • Oliveira’s father was a wealthy industrialist, and a view from the old house’s perspective invokes the comforts that his family’s prosperity afforded, and, with these, the inner vistas, the aesthetic initiation that opened up to him in his urbane youth.
    — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 26 Mar. 2025
Definition of urbane
Adjective
  • Clara’s Table restaurant is Dearborn Inn’s tribute to Henry Ford’s wife, Clara, a passionate horticulturist and gracious hostess.
    — Devorah Lev-Tov, AFAR Media, 9 Apr. 2025
  • The press conference had a very gracious tone on the U.S. relationship.
    — Brendan Ahern, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of gracious
Adjective
  • Nanette Nanette Lepore Freedom Stretch Pants These straight-leg pants are at once casual and polished, thanks to a tab fly, buttoned back welt pockets, and hems that hit right above the ankles on most people.
    — Jamie Allison Sanders, People.com, 18 Apr. 2025
  • The effortless and beachy hairstyle has taken a back seat in recent years to more polished styles like sleek bobs, liquid hair, and voluminous blowouts.
    — Catharine Malzahn, Glamour, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of polished

Browse Nearby Words

suasiveness
suave
suaveness
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Suave.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/suave. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on suave

Nglish: Translation of suave for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Words in Disguise: Do these seem familiar?

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes: A-Z List of Examples
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

10 Words from Taylor Swift Songs (Merriam's Version)

'Blue Moon,' 'Wolf Moon,' and Other Moons to Look for Throughout the Year

10 Scrabble Words Without Any Vowels
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
name that thing flower edition
Name That Flower Can you tell the difference between a lilac and a...
See All