DELICATE Synonyms: 534 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'delicate' different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of delicate are choice , dainty , elegant , exquisite , and rare . While all these words mean "having qualities that appeal to a cultivated taste," delicate implies exquisiteness, subtlety, and fragility. // delicate craftsmanship

Q: Where would 'choice' be a reasonable alternative to 'delicate'?

The words choice and delicate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, choice stresses preeminence in quality or kind. // choice fabric

Q: In what contexts can 'dainty' take the place of 'delicate'?

While the synonyms dainty and delicate are close in meaning, dainty sometimes carries an additional suggestion of smallness and of appeal to the eye or palate. // dainty sandwiches

Q: When can 'elegant' be used instead of 'delicate'?

Although the words elegant and delicate have much in common, elegant applies to what is rich and luxurious but restrained by good taste. // a sumptuous but elegant dining room

Q: When is it sensible to use 'exquisite' instead of 'delicate'?

The synonyms exquisite and delicate are sometimes interchangeable, but exquisite implies a perfection in workmanship or design that appeals only to very sensitive taste. // an exquisite gold bracelet

Q: When could 'rare' be used to replace 'delicate'?

The meanings of rare and delicate largely overlap; however, rare suggests an uncommon excellence. // rare beauty

delicate

adjective

ˈde-li-kət

Definition of delicate next

as in subtle

satisfying or pleasing because of fineness or mildness a heavy sauce would spoil the delicate flavor of this fish

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in sensitive

able to sense slight impressions or differences only a person with delicate taste buds could tell the difference between these two wines

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as in virtuoso

accomplished with trained ability the delicate handling of a difficult diplomatic situation

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as in fragile

easily broken delicate glassware that must be carefully wrapped for shipping

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in frail

easily injured without careful handling the delicate ecosystem of the wetlands

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as in careful

hard to please a person of delicate tastes

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in elegant

having qualities that appeal to a refined taste delicate perfumes that only a connoisseur of scents would appreciate

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as in weak

lacking bodily strength a delicate child who was never allowed to play sports

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as in nice

made or done with extreme care and accuracy delicate measurements of brain tumors that are only possible using the latest medical technology

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as in accurate

meeting the highest standard of accuracy extremely delicate instruments such as an atomic clock

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as in gentle

not harsh or stern especially in nature or effect a delicate breeze was floating in from the open window

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as in difficult

requiring exceptional skill or caution in performance or handling the delicate challenge of inviting two people who don't like each other to the same party

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word delicate different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of delicate are choice, dainty, elegant, exquisite, and rare. While all these words mean "having qualities that appeal to a cultivated taste," delicate implies exquisiteness, subtlety, and fragility.

delicate craftsmanship

Where would choice be a reasonable alternative to delicate?

The words choice and delicate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, choice stresses preeminence in quality or kind.

choice fabric

In what contexts can dainty take the place of delicate?

While the synonyms dainty and delicate are close in meaning, dainty sometimes carries an additional suggestion of smallness and of appeal to the eye or palate.

dainty sandwiches

When can elegant be used instead of delicate?

Although the words elegant and delicate have much in common, elegant applies to what is rich and luxurious but restrained by good taste.

a sumptuous but elegant dining room

When is it sensible to use exquisite instead of delicate?

The synonyms exquisite and delicate are sometimes interchangeable, but exquisite implies a perfection in workmanship or design that appeals only to very sensitive taste.

an exquisite gold bracelet

When could rare be used to replace delicate?

The meanings of rare and delicate largely overlap; however, rare suggests an uncommon excellence.

rare beauty

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of delicate They’re made with the kind of care that shows in every delicate, pastel-colored wafer. —

Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Apr. 2026 The delicate floral pattern on the sky blue background looks as if it was painted on and the sheets feel as such, almost like a breeze. —

Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 1 Apr. 2026 Ethanol is also a solvent that can eat away at delicate rubber seals and plastics in older engines, potentially causing major damage, which is one of the reasons why it’s usually capped at 10%. —

Kyle Cheromcha, The Drive, 1 Apr. 2026 The matter is particularly delicate because of Swalwell's role in the California governor's race. —

Perry Stein and Jeremy Roebuck The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 1 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for delicate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for delicate

Adjective

Another camera, an eye tuned to the subtle strangeness of an otherwise ordinary day—someone or something, somewhere, must have caught a glimmer of the truth.

— Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2026
Vice President Vance, who is considered an isolationist, expressed private skepticism ahead of the attacks, and his relative silence during the first weeks of the war was perceived as a subtle way of distancing himself from the conflict.

— Jonathan Lemire, The Atlantic, 1 Apr. 2026

Definition of subtle

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“Delicate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/delicate. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.

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Synonyms of delicate

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