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
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
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Recent Examples of delicateIt’s designed with a delicate open round toe that flatters the feet.—
Karla Rodriguez,
Footwear News,
16 July 2026 Produced after its pitch won the AT&T Untold Stories competition, David Fortune’s delicate drama then did a successful fest circuit in 2024, including playing at the Chicago International Film Festival and Ebertfest.—
Brian Tallerico,
Vulture,
16 July 2026 Warsh is in a delicate position seven weeks into his term as Fed chairman.—
Matt Peterson,
CNBC,
15 July 2026 Quantum key distribution could leverage the delicate properties of quantum states to detect eavesdroppers.—
Aldo Romero,
The Conversation,
15 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for delicate
But Scheft and his team are mastering the subtle differences and plan to offer many of the same loaves available in Boston, though the bakeries will have a few different offerings.
—
Connie Ogle
July 17,
Miami Herald,
17 July 2026
In one of Nolan’s subtle but important additions to Homer’s tale, all throughout the film, everyone expresses fears about the People from the Sea, this unseen menace terrorizing different towns.
As the man building rings and providing backdrops with the event names on them for big press conferences, he is often trusted with sensitive information long before it is announced.
—
Chris McKenna,
New York Times,
22 July 2026
The risk manager requested anonymity to discuss sensitive business interests.
The visual essay below features virtuoso examples of the techniques that designers have used to replicate the ideals of classical dress over the years, including draping, pleating, twisting, and wrapping.
—
Laird Borrelli-Persson,
Vogue,
16 July 2026
Thanks to more than 200 years of intense and virtuoso scientific work, what were once valid or at least plausible concerns and objections to vaccines have been overcome.
That summer, land next to the Okefenokee Swamp that was slated for a titanium mine was purchased by The Conservation Fund, spelling an end to a project some had feared could irreparably damage the fragile ecosystem.
—
Drew Kann,
AJC.com,
20 July 2026
Given an increasingly fragile fiscal backdrop, more may follow.
Ferran Torres, who hadn’t scored all tournament, getting the winner in the final from an assist by Nico Williams, who had fitness issues throughout, was a nice subplot.
—
Anantaajith Raghuraman,
New York Times,
20 July 2026
The sliding rear window is a nice touch and harks back to the latest Toyota 4Runner, a vehicle the R2 will be cross-shopped against.
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