1
as in cunning
clever at attaining one's ends by indirect and often deceptive means
used subtle methods of persuasion
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in nice
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of subtle
Keanu Reeves posed hand-in-hand with girlfriend Alexandra Grant, displaying some subtle PDA at the New York City premiere of Apple TV+'s 'Outcome' on April 6.
—
Meg Walters, InStyle, 7 Apr. 2026
He was known to create some of his landscapes at the Kensington property while observing how small changes in the sun’s position created subtle shifts in the light on fields surrounding the house.
—Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 7 Apr. 2026
The matcha flavor is sweet with just a subtle hint of matcha earthiness, rounded out with sprinkles and glaze on top.
—John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 7 Apr. 2026
With a subtle orange rim and scalloped accents, this set is an heirloom in the making, especially when paired with family recipes and great company.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 7 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for subtle
Meg Walters, InStyle, 7 Apr. 2026
He was known to create some of his landscapes at the Kensington property while observing how small changes in the sun’s position created subtle shifts in the light on fields surrounding the house.
—Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 7 Apr. 2026
The matcha flavor is sweet with just a subtle hint of matcha earthiness, rounded out with sprinkles and glaze on top.
—John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 7 Apr. 2026
With a subtle orange rim and scalloped accents, this set is an heirloom in the making, especially when paired with family recipes and great company.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 7 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for subtle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subtle
Adjective
-
Past friends and former associates described him to me as an exceptionally cunning con man, a consummate charmer, and a womanizer.—
Nate Freeman,
Vanity Fair,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Starring Charlize Theron, Taron Egerton, and Eric Bana, the film was shot on location in the Australian wilderness and features Theron as a grieving woman on a solo adventure who becomes the target of a cunning killer (Egerton) in a twisted game of cat-and-mouse.—
Abid Rahman,
HollywoodReporter,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Some other teachers that maybe hadn’t been so polite to me or nice to me, all of a sudden became a little nicer.—
Théoden Janes,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Thursday night is going to be a nice little appetizer, so to speak.—
Michael Russo,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Amid the sweltering heat and almost menacingly lush greenery, Louise compiles an exquisite taxonomy of local types.—
Brandy Jensen,
New Yorker,
8 Apr. 2026
-
But, luckily for Americans, the Japanese have so generously lent their cherry blossom trees to sister cities and exquisite gardens throughout the US.—
Adele Chapin,
Condé Nast Traveler,
6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Fly across the world to visit archives and then look at additional pamphlets just because the covers look cute.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Apr. 2026
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For adventurous travelers who want to look cute in photos but also have a hike, tennis match, or other adventure on the agenda, this pleated skirt is an ideal pick.—
Paris Wilson,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Plus, their delicate hardware delivers an extra element of style.—
Cheryl Wagemann,
InStyle,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Ideal for delicate loose-leaf brewing (such as gyokuro), each teapot has a small 100-to-200-milliliter capacity that prevents over-steeping and allows for rich infusions, each brew better than the last.—
Abbey Stone,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
This elegant opera house hosts numerous events, mostly opera and ballet.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Apr. 2026
-
The smooth, fluid drape reads elegant, and the fabric has a soft silk sheen that holds up beautifully in a suitcase.—
Paris Wilson,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Kalani Brundage slipped a slick pass over to Addison Smith who beat the Kingwood keeper with a low shot to the left side to give Forney a 1-0 lead in the 8th minute.—
Darren Lauber,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 Apr. 2026
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This is especially true in Santorini, where steep, slick stone steps and cobblestone paths can be tricky to navigate.—
Caitlin Palumbo,
Travel + Leisure,
12 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Trotsky’s arguments about revolution in one nation versus a revolution of the international proletariat, like the fine argumentative tracery of Paul’s Jewish Christians versus Greek ones, seemed vital to the movement at the time but weirdly trivial and abstract to those outside it.—
Adam Gopnik,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
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Members of the first group will be fine even as college closures accelerate.—
Jeffrey Selingo,
The Atlantic,
12 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Subtle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subtle. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
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