1
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
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2
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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3
as in virtuoso
accomplished with trained ability
the delicate handling of a difficult diplomatic situation
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4
as in fragile
easily broken
delicate glassware that must be carefully wrapped for shipping
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5
as in frail
easily injured without careful handling
the delicate ecosystem of the wetlands
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6
as in careful
hard to please
a person of delicate tastes
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7
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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8
as in weak
lacking bodily strength
a delicate child who was never allowed to play sports
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9
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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10
as in accurate
meeting the highest standard of accuracy
extremely delicate instruments such as an atomic clock
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11
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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12
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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of delicate
Beware, this gauze is a tad delicate, as Alpert learned the hard way after her cat caused a few snags from their untrimmed claws.
—
Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 6 June 2025
While some have been effective at brightening and firming my delicate under-eye skin and reducing puffiness, no eye cream has worked with as much efficiency as the Revitalite Eyelid & Dark Circle Corrector from Dermelect.
—Rachel Trujillo, People.com, 6 June 2025
Gi-seok had been caught up in the delicate web of power and deceit that holds Seoul’s two major gangs—the Juwoon Group and the Bongsan Group—in place.
—Kayti Burt, Time, 6 June 2025
Her feet dangle, then land with a thud on the delicate rug hugging the side of her bed.
—Lovia Gyarkye, HollywoodReporter, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for delicate
Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 6 June 2025
While some have been effective at brightening and firming my delicate under-eye skin and reducing puffiness, no eye cream has worked with as much efficiency as the Revitalite Eyelid & Dark Circle Corrector from Dermelect.
—Rachel Trujillo, People.com, 6 June 2025
Gi-seok had been caught up in the delicate web of power and deceit that holds Seoul’s two major gangs—the Juwoon Group and the Bongsan Group—in place.
—Kayti Burt, Time, 6 June 2025
Her feet dangle, then land with a thud on the delicate rug hugging the side of her bed.
—Lovia Gyarkye, HollywoodReporter, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for delicate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for delicate
Adjective
-
The family secrets were subtle but pervasive, reverberating not just through this nuclear family, but also across generations.—
Susan Walter
June 6,
Literary Hub,
6 June 2025
-
Your new album, Faith, is a lot subtler than your debut, Signs.—
Philip Sherburne,
Pitchfork,
6 June 2025
Adjective
-
This principle, applied across all workloads, is instrumental for reducing the risk of unauthorized access to sensitive data.—
Ben Blanquera,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
-
Amino acids are more easily absorbed than proteins and do not damage the intestinal environment, which means even those with sensitive digestions can take them.—
MISAKI KAWATSU,
Vogue,
10 June 2025
Adjective
-
That’s where trust can become fragile if leaders start to chase proxies instead of performance.—
Dr. Diane Hamilton,
Forbes.com,
3 June 2025
-
Oyun-Erdene warned before the confidence vote that a change in government could threaten Mongolia’s fragile democracy, which only started in the early 1990s after the Soviet Union collapsed.—
Chad de Guzman,
Time,
3 June 2025
Adjective
-
Watch out for slippery roads: Be extra careful during the first half hour after rain begins.—
Bay Area Weather Report,
Mercury News,
7 June 2025
-
However, Kilmeade was careful to praise Musk’s efforts during his time in the Trump administration.—
Andrew Kirell,
CNN Money,
6 June 2025
Adjective
-
And Just Like That… is, for lack of a more elegant term, so goddamn weird this season.—
Emma Bocchi,
Vogue,
6 June 2025
-
The newest model continues to fuse advanced materials with Japanese craftsmanship and cutting-edge technology to create a timepiece that is durable, precise and elegant.—
Fairchild Studio,
Footwear News,
6 June 2025
Adjective
-
Global Blue's weak February European shopper data released on March 5 did indeed work as a catalyst.—
Ganesh Rao,
CNBC,
3 June 2025
-
In addition to a weak critical reception, the film became mired in controversy due to political comments made by lead actress Rachel Zegler in the run-up to its release; the casting of a Latina actress as the titular character; and the use of CGI to reimagine the seven dwarfs.—
Hugh Cameron,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 June 2025
Adjective
-
That this wrap-up happens on the stoop of an apartment building provides a nice callback to Past Lives.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
9 June 2025
-
Reyes was a nice spring training story, but the Yankees were fooled by meaningless February and March stats.—
Chris Kirschner,
New York Times,
8 June 2025
Adjective
-
Very few accurate transfer links to Leeds have emerged as of June 6.—
Beren Cross,
New York Times,
7 June 2025
-
Prices were accurate at the time of publication but may change.—
Maryal Miller Carter,
USA Today,
7 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Delicate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/delicate. Accessed 15 Jun. 2025.
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