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

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

Investing at the intersection of tech and travel is more nuanced. —Dana Dunne, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025

Saller developed a nuanced understanding of global supply chains, international trade dynamics, and the unpredictable nature of logistics. —Wyles Daniel, USA Today, 23 June 2025

While home renovation isn’t a novel concept—people have been tweaking and refining their spaces for centuries—the physical act of remodeling is growing increasingly more nuanced. —Rachel Gallaher, Robb Report, 21 June 2025

More nuanced incidents do, of course, need to take time, but there was little good reason for there to be such a delay between a case concerning the race winner being heard and the resulting decision being announced. —Luke Smith, New York Times, 19 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

nuance + -ed entry 1

First Known Use

1881, in the meaning defined above