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
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
This subtle shift has big implications.
—
Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2025
The Silver Hugo for Best Female Performance goes to Eszter Tompa for KONTINENTAL ’25 for her subtle, incisive, never caricatural acting.
—Christian Blauvelt, IndieWire, 24 Oct. 2025
The shoes were crafted in olive green leather with subtle folding at the toe; a dainty bow adorned the vamp, while a relatively wide strap bearing the label’s name stretched across the foot.
—Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 24 Oct. 2025
In one of the film’s least subtle moments, a dazed Bruce is startled to attention.
—Sadie Sartini Garner, Pitchfork, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for subtle
Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2025
The Silver Hugo for Best Female Performance goes to Eszter Tompa for KONTINENTAL ’25 for her subtle, incisive, never caricatural acting.
—Christian Blauvelt, IndieWire, 24 Oct. 2025
The shoes were crafted in olive green leather with subtle folding at the toe; a dainty bow adorned the vamp, while a relatively wide strap bearing the label’s name stretched across the foot.
—Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 24 Oct. 2025
In one of the film’s least subtle moments, a dazed Bruce is startled to attention.
—Sadie Sartini Garner, Pitchfork, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for subtle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subtle
Adjective
-
Michelle is more cunning, figuring out how to play these two to her whims, while Teddy struggles to prove her extraterrestrial origins.—
Katie Walsh,
Twin Cities,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Your words can be sharp and cunning today.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
With that in mind, his glowing comments on Jeter paid a nice tribute.—
Peter Chawaga,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
-
In her opinion, a courthouse wedding or a small ceremony in a family member's backyard would have been just as nice, Kate said.—
Rachel Raposas,
PEOPLE,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The late, great Steve McQueen’s exquisite 1926 Excelsior Super X will go under the gavel at a bumper automotive auction this fall.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
22 Oct. 2025
-
The touchpad is still big and smooth, and the haptic feedback still feels exquisite.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Mankinlu Maple Leaf Solar Pathway Lights As daylight starts to fade earlier, these cute pathway lights add both charm and function to your yard.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 Oct. 2025
-
The easiest fix for the age-old struggle between cute and comfy?—
Mia Huelsbeck,
PEOPLE,
25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
While those connotations may have long since lost their relevance, contemporary designers have been embracing lace more than ever recently, filling collections in New York Bridal Fashion Week with beautiful gowns crafted in the delicate, classic material.—
Shelby Wax,
Vogue,
23 Oct. 2025
-
She was elegantly dressed in a cream coat dress adorned with delicate embroidery, paired with matching heels and a coordinating clutch bag.—
Stephanie Giang-Paunon , Ashley Papa,
FOXNews.com,
23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The Softstreme High-rise Wide-leg Cropped Pant has a weighty drape that adds an elegant edge to what otherwise feels like loungewear, given how remarkably soft the Softstreme fabric is.—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
26 Oct. 2025
-
The long-sleeve polo sweater has elegant pearl buttons that pop against the sweater’s neutral color.—
Melony Forcier,
PEOPLE,
26 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The film around her is equally slick, using as its backdrop a moment in recent history when people in power felt under the microscope.—
Shirley Li,
The Atlantic,
22 Oct. 2025
-
And though this slick east-side restaurant has loosened up a bit, the razor-sharp staff still runs the place like the fine-dining spectacle it's been for 20 years, with perfect pacing and so much poise.—
Rachel Bernhard,
jsonline.com,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Working primarily in the North Sea, Müller had pioneered the use of extremely fine nets to collect these and other tiny marine organisms.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Oct. 2025
-
According to Thorsten Schumm, PhD, a researcher at the Vienna University of Technology’s (TU Wien) Institute of Atomic and Subatomic Physics, some theories suggest that the fine-structure constant may not be truly constant.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Subtle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subtle. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share