subtile

adjective

Definition of subtilenext
as in subtle

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for subtile
  1. subtle
  2. cunning
  3. wily
  4. artful
  5. crafty
  6. trick
  7. sly
  8. tricky
Adjective
  • Unsurprisingly, employees find both subtle and significant ways to reclaim their independence.
    — Kate Wieczorek, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • To finish, the server will build a tableside Hong Kong Milk Tea Tiramisu, with milk tea mascarpone Chantilly cream and lady fingers, served with a cup of subtle Hong Kong milk tea.
    — Connie Ogle July 31, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026
Definition of subtle
Adjective
  • Prince John is the cunning younger son of King Henry II whose ambition and shifting loyalties intensify the kingdom’s growing power struggle.
    — Denise Petski, Deadline, 29 July 2026
  • Booboo Stewart’s Jay was brought up to be a cunning thief, just like his father Jafar.
    — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 25 July 2026
Definition of cunning
Adjective
  • A couple of hours later, Learner Tien lost to wily French veteran Adrian Mannarino.
    — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Almost two decades ago in Germany, a particularly wily octopus named Otto short-circuited his aquarium’s electrical system by shooting jets of water at an overhead light that perhaps caused an objectionable glare.
    — Cody Cottier, Scientific American, 29 July 2026
Definition of wily
Adjective
  • The Thomas Crown Affair isn’t the first time a character played by Jordan has an artful interaction.
    — Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 31 July 2026
  • The hotel’s Art of Discovery experience (rates starting at $375) takes guests on an artful journey through its 700-piece global art collection, displayed throughout the building.
    — Maya Kachroo-Levine, Travel + Leisure, 22 July 2026
Definition of artful
Adjective
  • James had an old-school game — fluid pace, a crafty handle, great court vision.
    — Rustin Dodd, New York Times, 30 July 2026
  • But when a succession of murders threatens to undermine his leadership, Murashige turns to his crafty hostage for help.
    — Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2026
Definition of crafty
Adjective
  • As Halloween approaches, investors seem fearful that good credit performance may be more trick than treat.
    — Telis Demos, WSJ, 21 Oct. 2022
  • If the high cost of it all is more trick than treat for you, here are several ways to turn your already smart home into a spook-tacularly genius haunted house.
    — Jennifer Jolly, USA TODAY, 28 Oct. 2021
Definition of trick
Adjective
  • The camera is in position to see Cena’s sly smile and taps on Gunther’s forearm just so.
    — Darren Cooper, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
  • Indeed, Grozeva and Valchanov’s sly ability to shift tones from ripely comical to appalling is one of their defining features as filmmakers, along with a penchant for weird and wacky side characters.
    — Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 14 July 2026
Definition of sly
Adjective
  • As kids get older, parents can be a sounding board and offer advice on how to navigate the tricky situations that inevitably come up instead of ghosting people.
    — Kara Alaimo, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026
  • However, rivalry games, travel abroad and other factors — such as replacing the program’s longtime starting QB — may make things a little trickier as the Jayhawks attempt to bounce back from a second straight 5-7 season.
    — Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of tricky
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.

Browse Nearby Words

subterranean
subtile
subtilty
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Cite this Entry

“Subtile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subtile. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026.

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