Definitions

suave

[swahv] / swɑv /

ADJECTIVE

charming, smooth

Synonyms

STRONGEST

affable courteous courtly genial ingratiating polite soft-spoken sophisticated urbane worldly

WEAK

agreeable bland civilized cordial cultivated cultured diplomatic distingué fulsome glib gracious obliging oily pleasant pleasing polished politic refined smooth-tongued sociable soft unctuous well-bred

Antonyms

STRONGEST

impolite rude uncivil uncivilized unfriendly unmannerly unrefined unsophisticated

WEAK

awkward clumsy unpolished

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"I just love the quicksilver delivery and suave flamboyance of Coward, it's delightful to play."

From BBC • Apr. 16, 2026

The suave Hernández character Domingo appeared briefly but was conked on the noggin by White, who also achieved Five-Timers status, but as a musical guest.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 5, 2026

While Ahmadinejad was dressed in “vintage, early 1980s” clothes, Larijani came from “the opposite end of the sartorial spectrum: suave, wearing a carefully pressed Ralph Lauren polo shirt,” Straw wrote in his memoir.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 8, 2026

In Japan, the ruling Liberal Democratic Party had the option of choosing a suave political moderate in Shinjiro Koizumi to lead it into the next election.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 5, 2025

Although his voice was suave enough, Johnny knew he was furious.

From "Johnny Tremain" by Esther Hoskins Forbes

Vocabulary lists containing suave

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