subtlety
noun
sub·tle·ty
ˈsə-tᵊl-tē 
plural subtleties
1
: the quality or state of being subtle
2
: something subtle
Examples of subtlety in a Sentence
The pianist performed with subtlety and passion.
we appreciated the subtlety with which our host indicated that it was time to leave: he volunteered to pack us a little lunch for the road
Recent Examples on the Web
What resonated with the producers was the subtlety of the loss.
—
Callum McLennan, Variety, 24 Sep. 2025
But firing an arsenal of nuclear weapons at the asteroid doesn't require as much subtlety or nuance.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 24 Sep. 2025
The truth is that subtleties of tonal range, not least brightness and contrast, can be adjusted by the corrector-in-chief.
—Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
The Uzbek defender does not deal in subtleties.
—Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for subtlety
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Callum McLennan, Variety, 24 Sep. 2025
But firing an arsenal of nuclear weapons at the asteroid doesn't require as much subtlety or nuance.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 24 Sep. 2025
The truth is that subtleties of tonal range, not least brightness and contrast, can be adjusted by the corrector-in-chief.
—Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
The Uzbek defender does not deal in subtleties.
—Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for subtlety
Cite this Entry
“Subtlety.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subtlety. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
subtlety
noun
sub·tle·ty
ˈsət-ᵊl-tē
plural subtleties
1
: the quality or state of being subtle
2
: something subtle
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