nuanced

adjective

nu·​anced ˈnü-ˌän(t)st 

ˈnyü-;

nü-ˈän(t)st,

nyü-

: having nuances : having or characterized by subtle and often appealingly complex qualities, aspects, or distinctions (as in character or tone)

a nuanced performance

Whenever the movie focusses on Van Doren and Goodwin and Stempel, it treats them as nuanced human beings. But other characters in the film … are sketched less fully.

—Ken Auletta

And in this rare instance, the family-friendly franchise isn't a bland, pabulum compromise but a more inspired, nuanced alternative.

—Mike Flaherty

This more psychologically nuanced self-examination requires that we honestly challenge our beliefs and summon the courage to act on that information, which may lead to fresh ways of thinking about our lives and our goals.

—Camille Sweeney and Josh Gosfield

Synonyms

• delicate
• exact
• fine
• finespun
• hairline
• hairsplitting
• minute
• nice
• refined
• subtle

Examples of nuanced in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Because of this, a team of scientists familiar with bonobos felt the species leads more nuanced lives than others give them credit for. —Christian Thorsberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 Apr. 2024

The legacy of these designers is akin to the nuanced, considerate touch that Chiuri has made her signature at Dior. —José Criales-Unzueta, Vogue, 15 Apr. 2024

But in December, the 4th District Court of Appeal took a more nuanced approach, acknowledging that investigatory videos are confidential, but then questioned whether every video met that standard. —Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Apr. 2024

Showing that changes in the kinds of tools line up with the qualities of the rocks they were made from adds quantitative heft to hypotheses that humans were making nuanced decisions involving stone properties more than 60,000 years ago, Schmidt argued. —Nathaniel Scharping, Discover Magazine, 6 Apr. 2024

But there’s also the nuanced issue of access to healthcare services that may lead to a professional diagnosis, which can be limited for some autistic individuals. —Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 2 Apr. 2024

Essiedu says that The Effect’s current, all-Black cast allows for nuanced discussions around mental illness within the Black community. —Kalia Richardson, Rolling Stone, 30 Mar. 2024

The role of Lee, a pivotal figure in the film, demanded a nuanced portrayal that captured both the essence of her character and the complexities of her journey. —Shelby Stewart, Essence, 28 Mar. 2024

If America is serious about preventing the flow of American user data to foreign governments, the answer lies with more comprehensive and nuanced federal privacy legislation. —Daniel Lyons, TIME, 3 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

nuance + -ed entry 1

First Known Use

1881, in the meaning defined above