subtle

adjective

ˈsə-tᵊl How to pronounce subtle (audio)
Definition of subtlenext
1
as in shrewd
clever at attaining one's ends by indirect and often deceptive means used subtle methods of persuasion

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in delicate
made or done with extreme care and accuracy the subtle strokes of the painter's brush

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in exquisite
satisfying or pleasing because of fineness or mildness a subtle suggestion of the Near East in the soup's flavoring

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 subtle The vacuum’s lines are streamlined, with subtle, chamfered edges, and the base station features a sleek, square silhouette, frosted glass surfaces, and lighting strips to prevent it from being just another bulky home appliance. — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 24 July 2026 Red shoes With their simple straps and subtle design, classic Mary Jane shoes and ballet flats have been back for several seasons now. — Alex Sales, Glamour, 24 July 2026 Natural variations and imperfections in the stone give this heirloom-quality piece character, and the rich cherry red and gold tones introduce a subtle, yet unexpected color to otherwise neutral vanities. — Nina Derwin, Architectural Digest, 24 July 2026 Each piece is individually hand-dyed by artisans in India, producing subtle variations from one linen to the next. — Thomas Waller, Footwear News, 23 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for subtle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subtle
  1. cunning
  2. delicate
  3. exquisite
  4. slick
  5. fine
  6. elegant
  7. deceptive
  8. exact
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
  • TouchLab unveiled electronic skin, giving robots a crucial sense of touch for delicate handling and safe interaction.
    — Bernard Marr, Forbes.com, 24 July 2026
  • Navigating our world requires simultaneously processing 4K video, spatial lidar, audio, and delicate tactile or proprioceptive feedback.
    — Charlie Campbell, Time, 23 July 2026
Definition of delicate
Adjective
  • Making his solo debut at age 72, the KLF collaborator and longtime Triffids member offers an exquisite picture of the pedal steel’s emotional ambiguity.
    — Grayson Haver Currin, Pitchfork, 20 July 2026
  • Eckhardt continues skating in exquisite, small loops, showing her exhaustion at times, through the curtain call.
    — Lauren Oyler, New Yorker, 20 July 2026
Definition of exquisite
Adjective
  • Koumas, who returned to Liverpool this summer after helping Hull City win promotion to the Premier League, was heavily involved in Szoboszlai’s goal as his neat turn and slick link-up play with Kerkez created the opening.
    — James Pearce, New York Times, 26 July 2026
  • Yeah, how about a slick Michigan move tally that comes to us courtesy of Philadelphia Flyers forward Matvei Michkov.
    — Matt Reigle OutKick, FOXNews.com, 25 July 2026
Definition of slick
Adjective
  • In most fine dining restaurants, sommeliers carefully select wines to complement and match each course.
    — Yuri Shima, Forbes.com, 25 July 2026
  • The Alzheimer’s Blood Tests are not designed as a mass screening tool for people who feel fine and have no memory concerns.
    — Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 25 July 2026
Definition of fine
Adjective
  • Her sleek, elegant mini slip dress, the epitome of a timeless LBD.
    — Ali Faccenda, PEOPLE, 22 July 2026
  • This assortment features presentation boxes, gift sets with elegant teaware, a chest of single steeps and more.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 21 July 2026
Definition of elegant
Adjective
  • At 6ft 3in (190cm) with unconventional movement mechanics, he is likened to Liverpool forward Hugo Ekitike for his deceptive play.
    — Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 22 July 2026
  • Distinguished by unique morphological features like a longer tail and specific tooth structure, alongside genetic evidence, the stingray's identification underscores the complexity of taxonomy where appearances can be deceptive.
    — Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
Definition of deceptive
Adjective
  • The broken embed for the reel is still in the story and the exact quote from the reel remains in the story along with the link to the original post that has since been deleted.
    — Byron Hurd, The Drive, 23 July 2026
  • His move to the Foreign Office gives climate diplomacy a seat at one of the three great offices of state, at the exact moment the UK is preparing to take over the G20 presidency in 2027, following the US presidency in 2026.
    — Nina Seega, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
Definition of exact

Browse Nearby Words

subtitles
subtle
subtleness
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Subtle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subtle. Accessed 29 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on subtle

Nglish: Translation of subtle for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of inveigle

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
chain-question-mark
Missing Link Quiz July 2026 Five seconds to figure out the word that fits bot...
See All