DEBONAIR Synonyms: 128 Similar and Opposite Words

debonair

adjective

ˌde-bə-ˈner

Definition of debonair

as in nonchalant

having or showing freedom from worries or troubles his debonair dismissal of my inquiry concerning his financial situation led me to believe that nothing was wrong

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in sophisticated

having or showing very polished and worldly manners the debonair gentleman charmed all of the ladies in the room

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 debonair Hong Kong icon Tony Leung has channeled brooding urban energy for the masterpieces of Wong Kar-Wai, balancing the debonair ennui of Marcello Mastroianni with the quiet watchfulness of Montgomery Clift. — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 8 May 2026 Field played Miranda Hillard, Daniel’s ex-wife, while Pierce Brosnan portrayed her debonair new love interest, Stu. — Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 7 May 2026 Weirdly debonair, for a teenager. — Literary Hub, 13 Apr. 2026 Sailing aboard The Hispaniola, Jim and Bess are caught between the charming, terrifying pirate Long John Silver, and the debonair, duplicitous British agent Aaron Graham. — Alex Ritman, Variety, 3 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for debonair

Recent Examples of Synonyms for debonair

Adjective

The plan is to keep being nonchalant about the whole thing, and hopefully their fan base will continue to grow.

— Julius Miller, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026
Opting for a baggier jean style immediately reads more nonchalant, giving the overall outfit a cooler look.

— Eva Thomas, InStyle, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of nonchalant

Adjective

The Future According to Brad is chunks in shades of butterscotch, caramel, and cinnamon—sophisticated candy colors.

— Vanessa Friedman, Vogue, 1 Sep. 2026
Chemical suppliers are developing increasingly sophisticated products, while machinery, software and process control continue to improve.

— Alice Tonello, Footwear News, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of sophisticated

Adjective

Tadens, part of a Haitian migrant family that moved to the United States in 2024, is remembered as a carefree, sweet child who had a stellar school attendance.

— Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 26 Aug. 2026
Verano centers on an unruly teen whose plans for a carefree summer are disrupted when his parents welcome an asylum seeker into their home.

— Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of carefree

Adjective

In the first series, Bateman plays Vince, a charismatic and chaotic screw-up who reunites with his brother, suave bar owner Jake (Jude Law).

— Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 11 Aug. 2026
The dynamic is at its best when Judah glides over IsoKeys’ beats like two kids trying to be suave while hopping an MTA turnstile with one tap.

— Lei Takanashi, Pitchfork, 27 July 2026

Definition of suave

Adjective

As with many of the academic cases, there are often no permanent consequences for Pretendians; they are either allowed to continue teaching or granted a graceful retirement.

— Tommy Orange, Vulture, 26 Aug. 2026
The driveway, lined with perennial beds, has a graceful curve on its way to a large circle that allows guests to park near the walkway to the front porch.

— James Alexander, Hartford Courant, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of graceful

Adjective

Perhaps most viscerally, given the ever-present specter of nuclear annihilation during the Cold War, Capps was appalled by Falwell’s apocalyptic rhetoric and cavalier posture toward global destruction.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 25 Aug. 2026
What comes off as cavalier risk-taking is really a cover for something much more nihilistic.

— Alison Herman, Variety, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of cavalier

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debits

debonair

debrief

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“Debonair.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debonair. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of debonair

adjective

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