Synonyms of delicacy

delicacy

noun

ˈde-li-kə-sē 

1

as in treat

something that is pleasing to eat because it is rare or a luxury

presented with a plate of national delicacies while they waited for the queen

Synonyms & Similar Words

• treat
• dainty
• candy
• sweet
• delectable
• viand
• tidbit
• cate
• dessert
• bit
• kickshaw
• goody
• morsel
• sweetmeat
• junket

2

as in fragility

the state or quality of having a delicate structure

we never cease to marvel at the delicacy of a snowflake

Synonyms & Similar Words

• fragility
• exquisiteness
• fineness
• daintiness
• brittleness
• frangibility
• flimsiness
• insubstantiality
• friability
• wispiness
• diaphanousness
• crumbliness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• roughness
• coarseness
• solidity
• rudeness
• firmness
• strength
• crudity
• crudeness

3

as in daintiness

the tendency to be or state of being squeamish

the urgent need for blood prompted many people to overcome their habitual delicacy and become first-time donors

Synonyms & Similar Words

• daintiness
• fastidiousness
• squeamishness
• queasiness
• finickiness
• fussiness
• qualmishness
• finicalness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• indelicacy
• boldness
• gutsiness

4

as in precision

the quality or state of being very accurate

the delicacy of the watch movement is incredible

Synonyms & Similar Words

• precision
• accuracy
• preciseness
• perfection
• exactness
• exactitude
• fidelity
• fineness
• nicety
• truth
• rigor
• definiteness
• veracity
• definitiveness
• accurateness
• closeness
• rigorousness
• ultraprecision
• strictness
• subtlety
• correctness
• rightness
• fastidiousness
• meticulousness
• determinacy
• carefulness
• definitude
• care
• persnicketiness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• roughness
• approximation
• coarseness
• inaccuracy
• imprecision
• roundness
• inexactness
• inexactitude
• wrongness
• carelessness
• falsity
• impreciseness
• looseness
• incorrectness
• falseness
• vagueness
• guesswork
• indefiniteness

5

as in weakness

the quality or state of lacking physical strength or vigor

all of her life the shy poet gave the appearance of extreme delicacy

Synonyms & Similar Words

• weakness
• exhaustion
• fragility
• feebleness
• fatigue
• languor
• tenderness
• faintness
• debility
• enervation
• impairment
• lowness
• languidness
• frailty
• infirmity
• enfeeblement
• debilitation
• injury
• asthenia
• decay
• frailness
• listlessness
• softness
• wimpiness
• disablement
• decrepitude
• breakdown
• damage
• impotence
• helplessness
• prostration
• powerlessness
• weariness
• collapse
• lassitude
• harm
• invalidism
• defenselessness
• hurt
• incapacitation
• impuissance
• effeteness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• strength
• vigor
• robustness
• hardiness
• vitality
• hardihood
• energy
• virility
• toughness
• fitness
• muscularity
• hardness
• huskiness
• ruggedness
• sturdiness
• health
• stoutness
• lustiness
• soundness
• healthiness
• wellness
• heftiness
• brawniness

6

as in sensitivity

the state or quality of being able to sense slight impressions or differences

the delicacy of the sensor is such that it will be affected by the slightest vibration

Synonyms & Similar Words

• sensitivity
• sensitiveness
• perceptiveness
• accuracy
• acuity
• perceptivity
• acuteness
• sharpness
• keenness
• exactness
• hypersensitivity
• exactitude
• hypersensitiveness
• supersensitivity
• oversensitivity
• fineness
• oversensitiveness
• hyperacuity

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of delicacy

And China now makes up 45 percent of the global supply of the delicacy, The Wall Street Journal reports. — Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 13 July 2026

San Jose has a new brunch restaurant, Bloom, serving up chicken and waffles, croissant French toast and carnitas Benedict, among other savory and sweet breakfast and lunch delicacies. — Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 13 July 2026

There would be no interminable seated supper, but delicacies served at stations that allowed this crowd to mingle and gossip in equal measure. — Bryan West, USA Today, 7 July 2026

In floriography, the Victorian language of flowers, Walshe notes that pale pink sweet peas represent pure happiness, while Daucus (Queen Anne’s Lace) symbolizes feminine grace, delicacy and sanctuary. — Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 6 July 2026