nuanced

adjective

ˈnü-ˌän(t)st How to pronounce nuanced (audio)
Definition of nuancednext
1
as in subtle
made or done with extreme care and accuracy a nuanced, shaded representation of a hot-button issue that is too often depicted in black and white

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in exquisite
satisfying or pleasing because of fineness or mildness a sauce with a nuanced lemon flavor that doesn't overwhelm the taste of the fish

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 nuanced Researchers said participants wanted content creators, influencers and television and film producers to offer more nuanced and authentic portrayals of religion and spirituality. — City News Service, Daily News, 18 Aug. 2026 What works in your 20s may not be what your skin and hair need in your 40s, and the science behind collagen, iron and vitamin C is more nuanced than the marketing suggests. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Aug. 2026 Juliette was a nuanced character, one who had deeply internalized and, at first, tolerated the fierce competition and seedy expectations that can go along with making it in Nashville. — Marissa R. Moss, Rolling Stone, 17 Aug. 2026 This year, the story is more nuanced, but the pan-European Stoxx 600 index has proved remarkably resilient. — Joseph Wilkins, CNBC, 16 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for nuanced
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nuanced
  1. subtle
  2. exquisite
  3. delicate
  4. elegant
  5. nice
Adjective
  • Clinicians found real value in cases involving subtle fractures in the knees, feet and other extremities, where conventional X-ray findings were inconclusive or missed the fracture altogether.
    — Erez Meltzer, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Then there are the subtle vanilla notes like those found in Orb Oils’s Lenny fragrance, matcha in Le Labo’s, or, say, Flamingo Estate’s Prinsesstårta roll-on captures notes of marzipan like a slice of Sant Ambroeus Princess cake.
    — Arden Fanning Andrews, Vogue, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of subtle
Adjective
  • The narrative is punctuated by prose-poems about the water conditions during her swims, which varied enormously from day to day and month to month, sometimes exquisite, sometimes terrifying.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Unlike the first one, though, this features an exquisite metal body and a more elegant design reminiscent of some top-end BlackBerry phones of yore.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of exquisite
Adjective
  • The dishes are a light and succulent reinterpretation of Menorca’s gastronomic heritage with an emphasis on seafood and a delicate French accent.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Denker had a study done, based on races that took place on Belle Isle in Michigan, showing that IndyCars racing at full speed wouldn’t damage buildings more delicate than the ones around the Mall.
    — Adam Kilgore, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of delicate
Adjective
  • Top 5 Can’t Miss A former family mansion, the elegant Villa Igiea is one of Palermo’s most opulent stays, with a history of hosting celebrities and royals during its early years.
    — Laura Itzkowitz, Travel + Leisure, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Best Splurge At 7-feet tall, this bar cabinet is both elegant and dignified, pairing a walnut finish and forest green leather with brass hardware.
    — Bailey Berg, Architectural Digest, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of elegant
Adjective
  • New York has a nice blend of skill and compete in a system that should produce reliable NHL talent but still has a lot of work ahead in this next rebuild.
    — Corey Pronman, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
  • As for the rest of the space, the open-concept kitchen’s peninsula and granite countertops are a nice touch, as is the fact that the bedroom is big enough for a king-size mattress and a home office.
    — Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of nice

Browse Nearby Words

nuance
nuanced
nub
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Cite this Entry

“Nuanced.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nuanced. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

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