BLAND Synonyms: 63 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

bland

adjective

ˈbland

Definition of bland next

as in soothing

not harsh or stern especially in nature or effect bland food that was good for babies and invalids

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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

Examples 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 For viewers who can suspend disbelief and accept the premise of Powell’s character, a bland philosophy professor turned undercover operative, the rewards are plentiful. —

Ian Crouch, The New Yorker, 29 Nov. 2024 For her bathroom, Valente conceptualized a number of minimal but powerful changes that took the room from bland builder-grade to a cozy, organic, and modern. —

Katherine McLaughlin, Architectural Digest, 29 Nov. 2024 Robin Tunney is technically the lead character as bland white witch Sarah, and sister sorceresses Neve Campbell and Rachel True are both delightful as Bonnie and Rochelle, but make no mistake, this is Fairuza Balk’s movie. —

Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 25 Nov. 2024 The episodes themselves are bland, struggling to define the central location and its core characters in any way. —

Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for bland

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bland

Adjective

And yet the show has a soothing effect, predicated on the idea that human behavior (and misery) isn’t mysterious or unchangeable.

Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 6 Dec. 2024
Sunset Sherbet provides a soothing and calming effect, while the White Widow Hybrid THC-A Live Resin Liquid Budder Vape Pen offers a balanced mix of indica and sativa effects.

Amplified Content Studio, The Mercury News, 2 Dec. 2024