as in cunning
skill in achieving one's ends through indirect, subtle, or underhanded means
the subtleness with which the boutique owner convinces you that you have to have that outrageously priced article of clothing
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Recent Examples of subtleness
The real surprise comes from the subtleness of the rose.
—
Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Apr. 2026
Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subtleness
Noun
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For everyone else, including this freelance journalist without an expense account, the approach is more like a military-level obstacle course designed to test your cunning and will.—
Jada Yuan,
HollywoodReporter,
22 May 2026
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The quality that drew Kurosawa to Yonezawa’s novel in the first place is not valor or cunning but something considerably less heroic.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
19 May 2026
Noun
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Because the costumes are designed by a master, there are hints, cues, little ways that each young lady is able to make her inner self visible, even when it must be done subtlety to avoid the negative attention and terrifying punishments that Gilead’s leadership revels in.—
Rachel Elspeth Gross,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2026
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The astrologer adds that just like a Virgo, this style doesn't seek attention but perfection, as shown by the fact that everything has its place, every element serves a purpose, and the beauty lies in the subtlety and care behind the design.—
Maria Sabella,
Better Homes & Gardens,
23 May 2026
Noun
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Mike Bowman, designer, furniture industry expert, and director of marketing for Harmonia Living, says this trend relies on furnishings to bring artfulness to a space—rather than just functionality.—
Patricia Shannon,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Jan. 2026
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There is a real seriousness to the score — the scheming bad-guy music has the artfulness of Prokofiev, and even the sneaking-around cues have musical integrity and structure.—
Tim Greiving,
Vulture,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The harp is not an instrument of slyness, wryness, or the earth.—
Emma Madden,
Pitchfork,
28 Apr. 2026
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Like the tricksters of myth, there’s depth to their slyness.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Subtleness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subtleness. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
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