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subtle

adjective

ˈsə-tᵊl How to pronounce subtle (audio)
Definition of subtlenext
1
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
2
as in shrewd
clever at attaining one's ends by indirect and often deceptive means used subtle methods of persuasion

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in delicate
made or done with extreme care and accuracy the subtle strokes of the painter's brush

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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 Unmissable desserts included a subtle wild berry cheesecake on a chocolate cookie base. — Vicki Power, TheWeek, 14 Sep. 2026 The Law & Order star made her way across the red carpet in a bright red plunging sequin gown, which featured a subtle slit and cascading train. — Christina Perrier, InStyle, 14 Sep. 2026 The Numbers Moved; So Did The Rules The macro picture is not subtle. — Serhii Zakharov, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2026 Within the game, the Steelers showed some subtle ways the new coaching staff will take a different approach. — Mike Defabo, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for subtle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subtle
  1. exquisite
  2. cunning
  3. delicate
  4. elegant
  5. slick
  6. fine
  7. deceptive
  8. exact
Adjective
  • Just off of World Center Drive, Caribe Royale Orlando is an exquisite property, complete with eight dining experiences; a pool, waterfall, waterslide, and splash pad; sports court; convention center; and fishing pier.
    — Kimberly Zapata, Parents, 18 Sep. 2026
  • The result is a strange, bewitching experiment in autobiography, in which there are no friendships or love affairs, just exquisite digressions on life-changing texts.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of exquisite
Adjective
  • Meanwhile, third wife Iya Femi (Bimbo Ademoye) is the most cunning and ruthless in trying to defend her position within the household, playing up to Iya Segi’s schemes as her most willing conspirator.
    — Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 16 Sep. 2026
  • But the heart of this story is the toxic years-long romance between Marjorie and her co-conspirator Bill Rothstein (David Harbour), an equally cunning player who was blinded by love.
    — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of cunning
Adjective
  • These are the glimmers of something in the fringes that keep The Cherry Orchard, even in our age of jonesing to burn it all down, so miraculously delicate and devastating.
    — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Rich Handel, resident laundry expert at Consumer Reports, warns that mixing heavy fabrics like denim with delicate garments increases friction and degrades the softer material.
    — Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of delicate
Adjective
  • The menu is helmed by Tyler Heckman, a Connecticut native who cut his teeth in New York, and is elegant and thoughtfully sourced but approachable.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Related Articles All over the bodice, but most certainly the skirt of the dress, flouncy, delicate feathers were featured in abundance, giving the overall design a distinctly textural and playful feel that was still refined and elegant.
    — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of elegant
Adjective
  • Stone and Robert Icke, for example, have both built careers on transplanting old stories into slick contemporary containers, and, in varying degrees, those containers can come packed with power.
    — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026
  • With everything on the line, rookie offensive coordinator David Blough tried to be slick, dialing up a shovel pass to tight end John Bates.
    — Michael Silver, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of slick
Adjective
  • Unlike a conventional inkjet printer, aerosol jet printing turns liquid ink into a fine mist.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 18 Sep. 2026
  • The long grains, fine as hair, are pulled together, at intervals, jointed.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of fine
Adjective
  • When a system can drop the fourth wall unprompted, ingest its own structural tells and re‑engage with unvarnished candor, the vulnerability shifts from deceptive compliance to authentic resonance.
    — Terry Oroszi, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026
  • López’s attorney sent Rivas and her group a cease-and-desist letter last month, citing trademark infringement and deceptive and unfair trade practices, the letter shows.
    — Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of deceptive
Adjective
  • The shift of money does not eliminate foreign military financing for Tunisia, Iraq, North Macedonia or Slovakia, although the exact amount remaining for those countries was not immediately clear.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Sep. 2026
  • The exact amount of the wide-ranging deal between ESPN and Peyton Manning and his Omaha Productions is not known, but it is believed to be in the same neighborhood as Brady and McAfee.
    — Andrew Marchand, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of exact

Browse Nearby Words

subtitles
subtle
subtleness
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Cite this Entry

“Subtle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subtle. Accessed 24 Sep. 2026.

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