1
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sophisticated
having or showing very polished and worldly manners
the debonair gentleman charmed all of the ladies in the room
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of debonair
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
Based in New York City and Chicago, Richter seamlessly honors the building’s long-standing history with debonair interiors that feel like a nod to old (and new) New York and are also inspired by the elegance of Paris.
—Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 8 Dec. 2025
Chinese movie star Hu Ge gives a debonair lead performance as Ah Bao, a mysterious power player who owes his rapid rise to the tutelage of an elderly ex-con, Uncle Ye (You Benchang).
—Judy Berman, Time, 28 Nov. 2025
Riquelme Vega, a major Chilean drug importer; and Raffaele Imperiale, a debonair Italian linked to the Camorra.
—Ed Caesar, New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for debonair
Alex Ritman, Variety, 3 Mar. 2026
Based in New York City and Chicago, Richter seamlessly honors the building’s long-standing history with debonair interiors that feel like a nod to old (and new) New York and are also inspired by the elegance of Paris.
—Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 8 Dec. 2025
Chinese movie star Hu Ge gives a debonair lead performance as Ah Bao, a mysterious power player who owes his rapid rise to the tutelage of an elderly ex-con, Uncle Ye (You Benchang).
—Judy Berman, Time, 28 Nov. 2025
Riquelme Vega, a major Chilean drug importer; and Raffaele Imperiale, a debonair Italian linked to the Camorra.
—Ed Caesar, New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for debonair
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debonair
Adjective
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While a warm, four-bar bassline chugs alongside dubby stabs and bouncy swells, BEA1991’s vocals switch from nonchalant monotone to falsetto in a way that sounds like an involuntary yelp of joy.—
Reid BG,
Pitchfork,
28 Apr. 2026
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Glantz remained upright at his otherwise empty table, and his nonchalant noshing was caught on a CNN livestream of the room.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The sophisticated set by ace production designer David Gropman enables Altman’s perpetually moving and zooming camera to drift in and out of two-way mirrors that depict memories and fantasies with both immediacy and a gauzy nostalgia.—
Jim Hemphill,
IndieWire,
1 May 2026
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Even on a generous patio, clean-lined, multi-functional pieces read as more sophisticated than oversized sets that crowd the space.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
1 May 2026
Adjective
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Decorating a patio or backyard with the best outdoor decor ideas should feel more carefree than dressing your interiors.—
Kelly Dawson,
Architectural Digest,
28 Apr. 2026
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Catmint is a drought-tolerant, carefree perennial that asks only for well-draining soil and sunshine.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The ensuing evacuation coincides with a criminal operation orchestrated by the suave George Karalis (Theo James) and his muscle -for-hire gang led by the mysterious X (Sam Worthington).—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
22 Apr. 2026
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Aasif Mandvi and Christopher Fitzgerald barely register as Jane and Julia’s oblivious husbands, while Consuelos, who plays Maurice as a suave cuckolder with a dodgy European accent, should probably stick to daytime TV.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
20 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Midi lengths refuse to commit to long or short camps, settling in the middle for a moment that's polished and truly insouciant.—
Calin Van Paris,
InStyle,
1 Apr. 2026
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There is nothing insouciant about me.—
Marisa Meltzer,
Vanity Fair,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Old stone walls and graceful arches frame olive and citrus groves and gum trees, while antique pieces gathered from European markets dot the corners.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wants the Islamic Republic’s disintegration, whereas Trump, possibly satisfied with tactical success in Iran, may desire any graceful exit.—
Alexander Langlois,
Oc Register,
22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The fact that anyone at the top is shocked by snaking security lines at airports is of a piece with the administration’s rather cavalier approach to contingency planning.—
Juliette Kayyem,
The Atlantic,
23 Mar. 2026
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Each crossbreed comes from a poodle bred with a cavalier King Charles spaniel, cocker spaniel, or Labrador retriever.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
19 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The 2026 draft footprint stretched across Point State Park and Acrisure Stadium (still Heinz Field in the hearts of civilized people) and by the end of the weekend, the city had hosted one of the biggest football parties in human history.—
Dan Zaksheske OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
26 Apr. 2026
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That’s pretty reasonable, civilized even.—
Jonah Flicker,
Robb Report,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Debonair.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debonair. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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