1
as in cunning
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 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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of subtle
The bottom has a ruffle hem for a subtle touch of sophistication.
—
Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 29 Apr. 2026
The upgrades, at least from the outside, are surprisingly subtle.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 29 Apr. 2026
The shift is subtle, but its consequences are not.
—Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 29 Apr. 2026
Decor leans equestrian-meets-coastal ranch, with earthy tones, textured fabrics, saddle-leather accents, and subtle nods to the property’s equine history.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for subtle
Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 29 Apr. 2026
The upgrades, at least from the outside, are surprisingly subtle.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 29 Apr. 2026
The shift is subtle, but its consequences are not.
—Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 29 Apr. 2026
Decor leans equestrian-meets-coastal ranch, with earthy tones, textured fabrics, saddle-leather accents, and subtle nods to the property’s equine history.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for subtle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subtle
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
-
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
-
Five is nice, but 17 straight is a dynasty unparalleled in City Section history.—
Steve Galluzzo,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Just the shops and the overall setting is really nice.—
Anne Kadet,
Curbed,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
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
-
Those exquisite night flights bring to mind another bunch of Neverlanders longing for home.—
Frank Rizzo,
Variety,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The clothes were cute, though, if not a little costumey.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
1 May 2026
-
This adorable cloud pillow shows Harry’s iconic lightning bolt scar and is a seriously cute addition to any fan’s collection of memorabilia.—
Jason Pham,
StyleCaster,
1 May 2026
Adjective
-
While discussing the delicate tone of the show and its balance of being a satire on the Hollywood movie business and a love letter to chasing your dream, Cretton said the creative team focused on character to find their way.—
Borys Kit,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Apr. 2026
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Also on view are selections from the Macchia series, known for bold color combinations and ruffled edges, and the delicate Seaforms, which evoke underwater life through translucent layers of glass.—
Ginger Crichton,
Midwest Living,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Back in my rooms, I was brought a box of French macarons and a bottle of Greek tentura, a cinnamon liqueur produced in the city of Patras, another elegant presentation of new alongside old, international alongside local.—
Sarah Manguso,
Travel + Leisure,
2 May 2026
-
Plants flower spring through fall in elegant shades of purple, pink, blue, and white.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
2 May 2026
Adjective
-
Major West Bank roads are lined with Israeli flags and slick new real estate billboards advertising affordable housing in settlements in Hebrew.—
Molly Hunter,
NBC news,
2 May 2026
-
Find something a recruit is interested in and a picture of him, and AI can produce a (relatively) slick graphic pretty quickly.—
Antonio Morales,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
Adjective
-
The fine points of class-action law were, of course, less influential than Crenshaw’s insistence on paying close attention to the way Black women were treated by the courts, and the essay’s most memorable lines were broader categorical claims.—
Kelefa Sanneh,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
-
Great White’s trainer, John Ennis, confirmed to The Associated Press that the big gray gelding and jockey Alex Achard were fine.—
Stephen Whyno,
The Orlando Sentinel,
3 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Subtle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subtle. Accessed 6 May. 2026.
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