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
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 delicateFavorited Feminine Frocks Cutesy little dresses are having a moment, embracing everything from delicate lace and sheer layers to soft silhouettes and romantic details.—
Cortne Bonilla,
Vogue,
30 July 2026 Instead, every renovation must navigate a delicate balance between improving the fan experience and preserving the architectural integrity of one of the nation's few National Historic Landmarks dedicated to sports.—
Tim Genske,
Forbes.com,
29 July 2026 Inspired by French design, the coquette aesthetic is romantic, delicate, and often playful.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
29 July 2026 No matter the room, color palette, or design scheme, there’s bound to be the perfect rug in a washable style that looks right at home alongside far more delicate furnishings.—
Audrey Lee,
Architectural Digest,
29 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for delicate
One subtle change, however, was his emphasis on spending Year 1 and building a foundation with the Tigers.
—
Seth Emerson,
New York Times,
24 July 2026
Researchers have since modified other proteins to interact with Cas9 but catalyze more subtle changes to DNA, such as lopping off a single base or making chemical modifications that alter how it base-pairs.
What to know about privacy Hospitals and doctors’ offices must follow codes of ethics and rules that protect sensitive patient health information and protect privacy, but AI is not bound by the same strict federal rules.
—
Jen Christensen,
CNN Money,
30 July 2026
State officials provided a version of the rolls but withheld sensitive personal information, citing privacy concerns.
—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
30 July 2026
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.
And when Red Bull did not stop him under the VSC, that meant going just 28 laps to the finish on the soft compound, a hefty stint for the most fragile tire.
—
Madeline Coleman,
New York Times,
26 July 2026
As Jason’s obsession with the Box deepens, Daniela’s growing paranoia pushes her to the brink, threatening to tear their fragile stability apart.
Last fall, major lenders reported that business was booming despite a sluggish art market, arguing that collectors preferred borrowing against valuable works rather than selling into weaker conditions.
—
Daniel Cassady,
ARTnews.com,
29 July 2026
Goods consumption is weak, while services consumption is outperforming, running above headline GDP growth, Liao said.
The modern kitchen is loaded with storage, including some secret spots in the butcher-block peninsula, and the bathroom’s terra-cotta tiling is a nice touch.
—
Matthew Sedacca,
Curbed,
27 July 2026
The result is Framework’s nicest-looking, nicest-feeling, most polished laptop design.
Copy Citation
