1
as in shrewd
clever at attaining one's ends by indirect and often deceptive means
used subtle methods of persuasion
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in delicate
made or done with extreme care and accuracy
the subtle strokes of the painter's brush
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in exquisite
satisfying or pleasing because of fineness or mildness
a subtle suggestion of the Near East in the soup's flavoring
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of subtle
The disparity between women in tech and STEAM careers is not subtle.
—
Sacbee.com,
24 June 2026
Warning signs often appear in business operations, such as slower service, longer response times, recurring complaints or subtle changes in customer behavior.
—
Serenity Gibbons,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2026
Ralph Lauren celebrated timeless elegance, Prada continued to challenge conventions with intelligence and subtle irony, Setchu impressed with its refined approach to craftsmanship and versatility, while Paul Smith delivered a fresh and optimistic take on tailoring.
—
Luisa Zargani,
Footwear News,
23 June 2026
The juxtaposing trim is enough to catch your eye while still being minimalist and subtle compared to a plain all-black bikini.
—
Kaitlin Clapinski,
InStyle,
23 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for subtle
Sacbee.com,
24 June 2026
Warning signs often appear in business operations, such as slower service, longer response times, recurring complaints or subtle changes in customer behavior.
—
Serenity Gibbons,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2026
Ralph Lauren celebrated timeless elegance, Prada continued to challenge conventions with intelligence and subtle irony, Setchu impressed with its refined approach to craftsmanship and versatility, while Paul Smith delivered a fresh and optimistic take on tailoring.
—
Luisa Zargani,
Footwear News,
23 June 2026
The juxtaposing trim is enough to catch your eye while still being minimalist and subtle compared to a plain all-black bikini.
—
Kaitlin Clapinski,
InStyle,
23 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for subtle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subtle
Adjective
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Daemon is one of the most clever, cunning and conniving characters in House of the Dragon, who always seems to have the upper hand.
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Under this light, Penelope emerges as exemplary, cunning, wounded, and trapped by the male order that praises her.
Adjective
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To accessorize her look, Chopra Jonas opted for delicate jewelry pieces that augmented the vibrant color scheme of her attire.
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Crappies, walleyes, and panfish are usually fried, and that’s partially because their thinner, more delicate fillets benefit from a batter coating holding them together during the cooking process.
Adjective
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Some companies expected to attend — like Lockheed Martin, Boeing and L3Harris — produce parts for more exquisite munitions, like the Patriot interceptor missiles that can each cost $4 million to $5 million.
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The maison’s jewelry is displayed atop custom stone plinths, spotlighting the exquisite craftsmanship of each creation.
Adjective
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Off a slick feed from Houssem Aouar, Algeria’s Riyad Mahrez scored his second goal of the game to give Algeria a 3-2 lead.
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Appollis made some slick dribbles to set up a right-footed shot from outside the box.
Adjective
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And Beale is perfect as the politically savvy, fine-food-loving Ser Simon, joining in Season 2.
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Los Angeles will shell out $120,000 for outside lawyers to fight a lawsuit filed by Councilmember John Lee challenging an ethics fine.
Adjective
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Featuring a classic Damask print, this three-piece quilt set will make any bedroom feel elegant and sophisticated.
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The Wente Clone Chardonnay 2024 – A truly elegant expression of the Wente Chardonnay clone, beautifully balanced fruit, oak, and acidity.
Adjective
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Despite criticism over opaque and deceptive practices, prediction markets’ election favorites won most of the time, a Washington Post analysis found; more liquid in betting markets improves their accuracy, economists told CNN, but could carry negative social costs.
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This is the essence of GPS spoofing, in which an attacker floods a GPS receiver with deceptive signals.
Adjective
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Tellingly, the exterior of Flod’s home studio is Pinky’s exact shade of pink.
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The ingredient that keeps the time in check is actually the chicken—cutlets, to be exact.
Cite this Entry
“Subtle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subtle. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.
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