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
  • The herbal shiso adds a subtle savory depth, delivering a clean, refreshing balance to the textures and flavor.
    — Angela Hansberger, AJC.com, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Ask someone to review a two-hour video and identify subtle violations, and they are almost guaranteed to miss something.
    — Tal Lev-Ami, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of subtle
Adjective
  • With the correct number of dots, no arrangement, however cunning, can dodge these shapes forever.
    — Jack Murtagh, Scientific American, 10 Aug. 2026
  • The simplest way to protect them from being ripped off by a cunning adversary is to get the customer in a queue and serve them your special magic on your terms.
    — Clem Chambers, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of cunning
Adjective
  • Maye took the snap and gave it away again, set up by some wily safety play.
    — Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 6 Aug. 2026
  • A couple of hours later, Learner Tien lost to wily French veteran Adrian Mannarino.
    — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of wily
Adjective
  • The spacious restaurant with high, coffered ceilings features a central bar where mixologists churn out artful cocktails.
    — Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Berry also shared an artful reflection photographed through a glass window.
    — Danielle Minnetian, FOXNews.com, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of artful
Adjective
  • Washington’s young starters were tutored by Griffin, a crafty All-Star.
    — Spencer Nusbaum, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Let your child pick out their new backpack, pencil case, lunch box, and water bottle, then get crafty and customize them together.
    — Fiona Tapp, Parents, 1 Aug. 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 past-present juxtapositions—of bodies, circumstances, attitudes, and even film stock—made for a sly and poignant ode to (or lament over) time’s passage.
    — Nick Paumgarten, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026
  • 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
Definition of sly
Adjective
  • On tricky issues, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s preference is to kick the can down the road.
    — Andrew Carey, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Spandex has been tricky to recycle because the polyurethane spandex fiber is wrapped with either polyester or nylon to create yarn.
    — Sarah Jones, Footwear News, 10 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 13 Aug. 2026.

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