Definition

Adjective: * Artfully persuasive in speech; using words in a clever, charming, and often insincere way to persuade or deceive. Describes a person who speaks very fluently and convincingly, but whose charm and persuasiveness may hide a lack of honesty or genuine intent.

Usage

The adjective "smooth-tongued" is used to describe a person, typically in a critical or wary manner. It highlights the speaker's skillful but potentially deceptive eloquence. It often precedes a noun (e.g., a smooth-tongued salesman) but can also follow a linking verb (e.g., He was smooth-tongued).

Examples

• Be wary of the smooth-tongued politician making grand promises.
• The smooth-tongued con artist convinced them to invest in a fake scheme.
• She was too smooth-tongued to be entirely trustworthy.
• Don't be fooled by his smooth-tongued flattery.

Advanced Usage

• The term often carries a strong negative connotation, implying manipulation, hypocrisy, or deceit cloaked in pleasant speech.
• It can be used in literary or formal contexts to characterize a villain or an untrustworthy figure.

Variants and Related Words

• Glib (adj.): Similar to "smooth-tongued," meaning fluent but superficial or insincere. (e.g., He had a glib answer for every question.)
• Silver-tongued (adj.): Emphasizes eloquent and persuasive speech, but can be used in either a positive or negative sense. (e.g., a silver-tongued orator; a silver-tongued liar.)
• Persuasive (adj.): Able to convince someone to do or believe something. This is a more neutral term without the implied insincerity.
• Eloquent (adj.): Fluent or persuasive in speaking or writing. This is generally a positive term.

Synonyms

• Glib
• Persuasive (in a deceptive way)
• Flattering
• Ingratiating
• Unctuous
• Deceptively charming

Antonyms

• Inarticulate
• Tongue-tied
• Blunt
• Forthright
• Guileless

Related Idioms

• To have a silver tongue: To be eloquently persuasive.
• To be a smooth talker: A more informal phrase with a very similar meaning to "smooth-tongued."

Adjective

1. artfully persuasive in speech
   • a glib tongue
   • a smooth-tongued hypocrite