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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of subtle
But there are subtle differences.
—
Mike Ryan, IndieWire, 6 May 2026
Though the collapse and tsunami in Tracy Arm took everyone by surprise, such events might still have warning signs—just very subtle ones.
—Megan I. Gannon, Scientific American, 6 May 2026
There had been subtle signs from his body that demanded attention.
—Emilie Hardman, JSTOR Daily, 6 May 2026
There are subtle patterns in the gamma rays ALOFT saw, for instance.
—Quanta Magazine, 6 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for subtle
Mike Ryan, IndieWire, 6 May 2026
Though the collapse and tsunami in Tracy Arm took everyone by surprise, such events might still have warning signs—just very subtle ones.
—Megan I. Gannon, Scientific American, 6 May 2026
There had been subtle signs from his body that demanded attention.
—Emilie Hardman, JSTOR Daily, 6 May 2026
There are subtle patterns in the gamma rays ALOFT saw, for instance.
—Quanta Magazine, 6 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for subtle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subtle
Adjective
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But another Cox trade — sending pitcher Doyle Alexander to Detroit for a minor-leaguer named John Smoltz in 1987 — is considered one of the shrewdest in baseball history.—
Mark Bradley for the AJC,
AJC.com,
9 May 2026
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Twice, its shrewd business practices caught federal regulators’ attention.—
Kenny Jacoby,
USA Today,
7 May 2026
Adjective
-
Hairstylist Ashley Ruiz pulled her hair back into a super sleek bun, and makeup artist Jenna Nicole gave her an almost-red magenta lip with a flawless, delicate cat eye.—
Marci Robin,
Allure,
7 May 2026
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With waitlists that seemingly double with each restock, pairs in delicate ivory and chartreuse bring a romantic touch to everyday staples when styled with soft knits and lightweight jackets.—
Laura Jackson,
Vogue,
7 May 2026
Adjective
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The residence showcases exquisite marble, onyx, lapis lazuli, tiger’s eye, and malachite stonework, accented with 14-karat gold-leaf detailing and silk trim.—
Mark David,
Robb Report,
28 Apr. 2026
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Those exquisite night flights bring to mind another bunch of Neverlanders longing for home.—
Frank Rizzo,
Variety,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
There’s arguably no one better placed to collaborate with VFX artists on a motion-capture performance than Serkis, who’s delivered innocence, cunning, cruelty, longing, and kindness in roles that run from Golum to Caesar to King Kong himself.—
Sarah Shachat,
IndieWire,
4 May 2026
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As Michael moves into solo stardom and makes cunning business moves, the film captures how his seemingly naive idealism was also a form of ambition.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Once, French cuisine had a lock on fine dining in this city.—
Ligaya Mishan,
New York Times,
11 May 2026
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Nick Blankenburg has been fine in the D-corps, but from a physicality standpoint, Josh Manson can’t get back quickly enough.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
10 May 2026
Adjective
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The two front doors open to reveal ample storage that expands to the back of the table, making this a piece that adds both an elegant and functional touch to a hallway or foyer.—
Rachel Trujillo,
PEOPLE,
9 May 2026
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Guests were served canapes including a surprisingly brilliant mango and mung bean tartare plus chicken teriyaki kebabs, all washed down with elegant Hugo Spritz and espresso martinis.—
Partner Content,
Variety,
9 May 2026
Adjective
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Barca supporters were already cheering each pass by the 20th minute, having gone 2-0 up through a brilliant Marcus Rashford free kick and a slick move finished off by Ferran Torres.—
Dermot Corrigan,
New York Times,
10 May 2026
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George, the birthday boy beside her, stuck to his own slick style, wearing a black polo top, off-white pants with a beige belt, and sand suede loafers.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
9 May 2026
Adjective
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If Jennifer Lawrence inspired you to get your own Mary Jane sneakers, head to Salomon to score her exact pair.—
Alyssa Grabinski,
PEOPLE,
10 May 2026
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Kleinman said the exact number of copperheads in Connecticut is not known, as population counts are difficult to track, but that their population is declining due to habitat loss and development.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
9 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Subtle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subtle. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
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