suave suggests a specific ability to deal with others easily and without friction.
a suave public relations coordinator
urbane implies high cultivation and poise coming from wide social experience.
an urbane traveler
diplomatic stresses an ability to deal with ticklish situations tactfully.
a diplomatic negotiator
bland emphasizes mildness of manner and absence of irritating qualities.
a bland master of ceremonies
smooth suggests often a deliberately assumed suavity.
a smooth salesman
politic implies shrewd as well as tactful and suave handling of people.
a cunningly politic manager
Example Sentences
The vegetable soup was rather bland. The diplomat's bland statement did nothing to calm the situation.
Recent Examples on the WebThe irony to me, and to many, is that networks have destroyed themselves with really bland, cookie-cutting programing over the years and people turned them off more and more. Travis M. Andrews, Washington Post, 7 Sep. 2022 So many athletes now are bland and guarded about their lives, their opinions — about everything, really. Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 29 Aug. 2022 Press appearances are more limited and tightly controlled, and athletes heavily coached on how to remain bland no matter the line of questioning. Zach Osterman, The Indianapolis Star, 25 Aug. 2022 According to the conventional wisdom, real white culture — WASP-y amusements like golf, buffet dining and classical music — is comically bland.Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2022 Moment-to-moment combat and driving sequences feel bland. Sam Machkovech, Ars Technica, 22 Aug. 2022 Davis was an amazing Harvard heel in Legally Blonde, but the script borings him into a nice (and bland) guy, with way too big a role in Anne Marie's journey to Pipeline. Darren Franich, EW.com, 17 Aug. 2022 My goal is for all the products that come in contact with my skin to be bland and mild and contain as few ingredients as possible. Beth Krietsch, SELF, 17 Aug. 2022 Even a bland name, however, might not immunize the WHO against blowback. Benjamin Mazer, The Atlantic, 17 Aug. 2022 See More