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
Prepare to witness dense clusters of these delicate creatures covering every branch.
—
Gaby Keiderling, Robb Report, 4 Sep. 2025
Scaling soft robotics Soft robotics is often used in small-scale tasks like handling delicate objects.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 4 Sep. 2025
Its outer leaves are delicate, shiny, and have a brownish-red tint, which adds to its appeal.
—Lauren O'Connor, Health, 3 Sep. 2025
As part of Juno’s design, its most sensitive instruments — and its most precious, delicate electronics — are housed inside an enormous, thick titanium vault.
—Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for delicate
Gaby Keiderling, Robb Report, 4 Sep. 2025
Scaling soft robotics Soft robotics is often used in small-scale tasks like handling delicate objects.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 4 Sep. 2025
Its outer leaves are delicate, shiny, and have a brownish-red tint, which adds to its appeal.
—Lauren O'Connor, Health, 3 Sep. 2025
As part of Juno’s design, its most sensitive instruments — and its most precious, delicate electronics — are housed inside an enormous, thick titanium vault.
—Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for delicate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for delicate
Adjective
-
This planet is electric, unpredictable and genius with its approach, but its transits are anything but subtle.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Even subtle light or noise can disrupt sleep cycles, preventing you from reaching the deeper, most restorative stages of sleep necessary for physical and mental recovery.—
Bryan Robinson,
Forbes.com,
6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The automaker is the latest British company to be hit by a cybersecurity incident in recent months amid a surge in cyber and ransomware attacks globally, as increasingly sophisticated threat actors disrupt operations and compromise sensitive data.—
Pushkala Aripaka,
USA Today,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Stress has been building at the long-end of the yield curve, where investors are most sensitive to fiscal credibility.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Kirk Baxter’s arrhythmic cutting is designed around quicksilver shifts that, along with Barry Ackroyd’s restlessly attentive, mostly handheld camerawork, allow Bigelow to redirect our attention with virtuoso command.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The giant ginkgo doesn’t change much, but everything around it does, and Enyedi seems determined to show us how fragile, and culturally contingent our idea of reality, really is.—
Leila Latif,
IndieWire,
5 Sep. 2025
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Underwater drones could one day use similar appendages to squeeze into tight spaces, explore fragile ecosystems without damage, or carry out repairs in difficult-to-reach areas.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Both coaches and players have been respectful of the other team all week, careful not to produce any bulletin board material.—
Tom Murphy,
Arkansas Online,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Ben Lewis Doherty, playing a boy named Sam whose life is upended by Robbie, is the show’s greatest innocent, a softhearted moppet who warns deer to be careful when crossing the street.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Deutsche Küche Apple Frangipane Tarts For an elegant dessert option, the $4 Deutsche Küche Apple Frangipane Tarts bring a European flair to the table.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Here, the atmosphere is upscale and elegant; perhaps one of the nicest Chinese dining rooms in Charlotte, despite the staff still trying to get a handle on hostess, service and wait time logistics.—
Shindy Chen,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The Royals made a lot of weak contact, which resulted in a mix of groundouts.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
9 Sep. 2025
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Last week, a weaker-than-expected jobs report added to expectations of an imminent rate cut by the central bank.—
Chloe Taylor,
CNBC,
9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Cutely line them up along the mantel with candles or lanterns, or add them to a nice tray with a few jack-o’-lanterns.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 Sep. 2025
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The beef is tender, and the broth has that nice aromatic spice that is immediately soothing and associated with a classic beef noodle soup.—
Shindy Chen,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Delicate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/delicate. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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