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 of nuanced

• subtle
• delicate
• nice

Examples of nuanced in a Sentence

a nuanced, shaded representation of a hot-button issue that is too often depicted in black and white

a sauce with a nuanced lemon flavor that doesn't overwhelm the taste of the fish

Recent Examples on the Web

The secret that lead singer Rumi is hiding beneath her couture ensembles—that her skin bears the patterns of her demon father—gives way to a nuanced message of self-love over shame. —Eliza Berman, Time, 9 Dec. 2025

Raksha Vasudevan’s Empires Between Us presents a nuanced exploration of post-colonial aid work from the author’s South Asian Canadian perspective. —Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 9 Dec. 2025

Parents will be just as grateful for an entertaining, kid-friendly show that tackles such nuanced topics. —Lynnette Nicholas, Parents, 8 Dec. 2025

His team wanted to take a more nuanced look at the connection between potato consumption and diabetes risk. —Sarah Garone, Health, 8 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

nuance + -ed entry 1

First Known Use

1881, in the meaning defined above