subtile

adjective

Definition of subtilenext
as in subtle

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Dissimilar Words

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
  • Sing, muse, of the cunning Christopher Nolan, who has once again achieved the impossible.
    — Hillary Busis, Vanity Fair, 19 July 2026
  • In the classic tradition, this bit of strategic genius is the ultimate proof of Odysseus’s mētis, or cunning intelligence.
    — Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 17 July 2026
Definition of cunning
Adjective
  • As many as 13,000 of the wily reptiles live in the swamp, adding a layer of spellbinding magic to the wetland.
    — Charles Seabrook, AJC.com, 25 July 2026
  • The Kolkata Knight Riders’ wily spin duo of Varun Chakravarthy and Sunil Narine conceded only eight in 10 combined balls.
    — Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 24 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
  • This consists of a thin insulating barrier sandwiched between two layers of superconducting aluminum — which can be tricky to manufacture.
    — Paul Smith-Goodson, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
  • Some of it has been tricky, frustrating — a bit of an obstacle course in the business that is music.
    — Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 21 July 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
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Subtile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subtile. Accessed 2 Aug. 2026.

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