exquisite 1 of 2

1
2
3

exquisite

2 of 2

noun

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of exquisite are choice, dainty, delicate, elegant, and rare. While all these words mean "having qualities that appeal to a cultivated taste," exquisite implies a perfection in workmanship or design that appeals only to very sensitive taste.

an exquisite gold bracelet

When could choice be used to replace exquisite?

While the synonyms choice and exquisite are close in meaning, choice stresses preeminence in quality or kind.

choice fabric

When can dainty be used instead of exquisite?

Although the words dainty and exquisite have much in common, dainty sometimes carries an additional suggestion of smallness and of appeal to the eye or palate.

dainty sandwiches

In what contexts can delicate take the place of exquisite?

The words delicate and exquisite are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, delicate implies exquisiteness, subtlety, and fragility.

delicate craftsmanship

Where would elegant be a reasonable alternative to exquisite?

The synonyms elegant and exquisite are sometimes interchangeable, but elegant applies to what is rich and luxurious but restrained by good taste.

a sumptuous but elegant dining room

When is rare a more appropriate choice than exquisite?

While in some cases nearly identical to exquisite, 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 exquisite
Adjective
The outfits range from the exquisite to the amusing to the absurd, tracing San Francisco fashion from after the 1906 earthquake to the new century. Randy McMullen, The Mercury News, 24 Jan. 2024 Balcer would put her stamp on the game in another way 25 minutes later, delivering an exquisite through ball that launched Lavelle on a dash up the middle of the Gotham defense toward the tying goal. Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 12 Nov. 2023
Noun
Drawing on cultural influences, locality, and client lifestyles, Studio IDC aims to curate visually exquisite and functional spaces. Dan Howarth, Architectural Digest, 7 July 2025 That random coffee shop that had the most exquisite collection of Arita porcelain and stacks of explicit manga. Jessica Kozuka, Travel + Leisure, 29 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for exquisite
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exquisite
Adjective
  • Early Friday morning, intense rain caused flash flooding across Texas Hill Country.
    Rebecca Angel Baer, Southern Living, 6 July 2025
  • There were several safety cars during the race, along with changing conditions with periods of intense rain followed by a drying track.
    Nelson Espinal, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 July 2025
Adjective
  • The dress has elegant puff sleeves, romantic florals, and a square-neck that keeps you covered.
    Nicol Natale, People.com, 12 July 2025
  • Actor Andrew Garfield wore his trusty Omega De Ville Trésor, soccer star Bukayo Saka flexed a gorgeous Patek Philippe Nautilus, and Doctor Who star Ncuti Gatwa flaunted an elegant Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso.
    Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 12 July 2025
Adjective
  • For some subtle sculpting, consider warming the product up on the back of your hand before going in with a makeup brush or beauty sponge.
    Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 12 July 2025
  • The accessory was a subtle nod to the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, whose colors have been green and purple since 1909.
    Renan Botelho, Footwear News, 12 July 2025
Noun
  • Like all flash floods, this record-breaking water swell resulted from a large amount of rain that drenched one area over a relatively short amount of time.
    Andrea Thompson, Scientific American, 7 July 2025
  • Motel Breakfast is changing the menu a bit on its new standalone single, letting bass groves and synth swells take the spotlight, and embracing elements of The Cure, for what slowly builds to become one of its most satisfying and catchiest songs yet.
    Piet Levy, jsonline.com, 3 July 2025
Adjective
  • An intensive moisturiser that delivers maximum hydration, Revision’s DermProtect Barrier Defense™ also replenishes natural lipids, and enhances moisture retention.
    Angela Lei, Forbes.com, 13 July 2025
  • The military would prefer to focus on managing ever-growing threats from satellites, an intensive effort that requires continual monitoring as other nations' increasingly sophisticated spacecraft maneuver from one orbit to another.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 10 July 2025
Adjective
  • In 2021, Jalen Hurts pulled off a rare accomplishment by leading the Eagles' offense in rushing with 784 yards.
    Justin Grasso, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 July 2025
  • This feature in Gmail will be accessible in the navigation drawer, a UI feature that is increasingly rare in Google's apps but is essential to managing inboxes and labels in Gmail.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 8 July 2025
Adjective
  • Tasters enjoyed Canada Dry’s balance of flavors, noting that its delicate citrus played well with a sharp bitter note on the back of their tongues.
    Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 14 July 2025
  • For instance, delicate fabrics like wool, silk, or linen will likely have different washing requirements than white cotton garments.
    Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 12 July 2025
Noun
  • The event kicked off with an opening dance, before the debutantes lined up for a waltz with their fathers, who were then passed onto their cavaliers for dancing with a live band.
    Kristen Bateman, Vogue, 1 Dec. 2024
  • Opal is described as a 5-pound red/brown cavapoo — a mix of a King Charles cavalier and a poodle.
    Mike Stunson, Kansas City Star, 9 July 2024

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Exquisite.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exquisite. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on exquisite

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!