as in cunning
skill in achieving one's ends through indirect, subtle, or underhanded means
we appreciated the subtlety with which our host indicated that it was time to leave: he volunteered to pack us a little lunch for the road
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Recent Examples of subtlety
After the music came a promo video of remarkable subtlety and grace.
—
Felipe Cardenas, New York Times, 15 June 2025
Even amid the more boisterous parts of the track, the speakers pick out the subtleties.
—PC Magazine, 27 May 2025
If a panel fails to express those subtleties, all the audience sees is a flat mass of darkness.
—Bae Dongmi, Variety, 30 June 2025
Instead, this otherwise generic ballad that preaches the merits of rejoicing in partnership, love guiding the way and sacred gardens with all the subtlety of a sledgehammer, showcases a trio steeped in restraint.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for subtlety
Felipe Cardenas, New York Times, 15 June 2025
Even amid the more boisterous parts of the track, the speakers pick out the subtleties.
—PC Magazine, 27 May 2025
If a panel fails to express those subtleties, all the audience sees is a flat mass of darkness.
—Bae Dongmi, Variety, 30 June 2025
Instead, this otherwise generic ballad that preaches the merits of rejoicing in partnership, love guiding the way and sacred gardens with all the subtlety of a sledgehammer, showcases a trio steeped in restraint.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for subtlety
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subtlety
cunning
Noun
-
Despite being outnumbered fifty-to-one by the Five Families of the Italian Mafia, the Westies’ legendary brutality and cunning have given them the leverage necessary to share the spoils through a fragile détente.—
Joe Otterson,
Variety,
22 July 2025
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Despite being outnumbered 50-to-1 by the Five Families of the Italian mafia, The Westies’ legendary brutality and cunning have given them the leverage necessary to share the spoils through a fragile détente.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
24 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Subtlety.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subtlety. Accessed 31 Jul. 2025.
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