1
as in cunning
clever at attaining one's ends by indirect and often deceptive means
used subtle methods of persuasion
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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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
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Fueled by vengeance and cunning ambition, Ashur rises from betrayal and bloodshed to seize power, gouging out a place for the House of Ashur in a new arena full of violence, desire, and twisted loyalty.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
30 Oct. 2025
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The elaborate scheme, masterminded by members of four Mafia families in collusion with celebrity athletes, ensnared unsuspecting victims, bleeding them of over $7 million through cunning deception, prosecutors said in the indictment.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN Money,
27 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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As the conversation turned to Haliburton, Antetokounmpo challenged Turner to say three nice things about his former All-Star point guard.—
Darnell Mayberry,
New York Times,
31 Oct. 2025
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Even the fact that Refiberd doesn’t need a lot of financing to keep itself afloat because of the nature of its technology is a nice bit of happenstance.—
Jasmin Malik Chua,
Sourcing Journal,
31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
One of the galaxies that was imaged, the face-on spiral Messier 61, displayed exquisite new details, including an enormous stellar stream never spotted before.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
4 Nov. 2025
-
The gallery presents this relationship through two exquisite caftans designed by Tom Ford who was Yves Saint Laurent’s creative director from 2000 to 2004.—
Essence,
Essence,
4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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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
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The easiest fix for the age-old struggle between cute and comfy?—
Mia Huelsbeck,
PEOPLE,
25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Alastin’s Restorative Neck Complex is a lightweight cream made specifically for the delicate skin below the chin.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
30 Oct. 2025
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Practical considerations In a delicate political and cultural landscape, brands must walk a fine line in discussing the benefits of clean fashion without fueling panic and misinformation.—
Sophie Benson,
Vogue,
30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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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
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The long-sleeve polo sweater has elegant pearl buttons that pop against the sweater’s neutral color.—
Melony Forcier,
PEOPLE,
26 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The slick lobby was guarded by uniformed doormen and the elevator took me to a long polished corridor leading to a big mahogany door.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 Nov. 2025
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But Ratanaruang’s most essential collaborator is, again, Doyle, who uses desaturated 16mm to evoke Sao’s past and slick digital cinematography to capture her present.—
Katie Rife,
IndieWire,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Wolvaardt a fine century on the back of her impressive semifinal performance.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
3 Nov. 2025
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Dark Renaissance will teach you a great deal about Marlowe’s brilliance and the Elizabethan era—its theater, the aristocracy, the spy craft, and the finer points of drawing and quartering religious dissidents.—
Isaac Butler,
The Atlantic,
3 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Subtle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subtle. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
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