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
  • Coleman said each design has its own distinct character and can be styled individually, either as a subtle everyday detail or a sculptural statement.
    — Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026
  • As the researchers saw, introducing random mutation could still make subtle structural tweaks that produced enzymes that were considerably more active.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of subtle
Adjective
  • Magpies are opportunistic scavengers, incredibly cunning and deceitful and capable of calculated deception.
    — Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Last week, Alan Cumming’s cunning competition empire The Traitors unsheathed its most diabolical twist yet.
    — Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of cunning
Adjective
  • The wily strategist told Tian Ji to race his best horse against the king’s second best, his second best against the king’s third best and his worst against the king’s best.
    — Dana Mackenzie, Scientific American, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Like Dillane’s Willoughby, wily and louche, who quite literally sweeps Marianne off her injured foot and into a giggly, schoolyard kind of chaotic sudden romance.
    — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of wily
Adjective
  • Quiet Storm’s field recordings, artful documents of the intimacies of Black life, offer some of the most compelling moments on the album.
    — Kiana Mickles, Pitchfork, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Set the scene The Homestead screams quirky, artful, and vintage yet restored—capturing a whimsical, fairytale ambiance embellished with hints of Southern charm.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of artful
Adjective
  • There’s seat-shaking violence in how the whale breaches the surface and slams its weight back down (the crafty sound design is by James Miller) and body horror in its claustrophobic, spongy inner chambers.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Banchero totaled 15 points in 18 first-half minutes and Wagner added 11 while converting crafty finishes around the rim.
    — Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Oct. 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 movie offered a sly critique of Korea’s rapid urbanization, and introduced the wayward types (bar girls, severely disabled men) that would populate all of Lee’s films.
    — E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Upon hearing what Hafley said about him, a sly grin spread across his face.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of sly
Adjective
  • Interpreting the message from the options market at this juncture is tricky.
    — Oliver Renick, CNBC, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Both Lawler and Kean are seeking to use their strong support for Israel as a wedge issue in their tricky reelection fights.
    — Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 8 Oct. 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 18 Oct. 2026.

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