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
For players who take pride in the subtleties of basketball, Unrivaled becomes a stage.
—
Miami Herald, 1 Feb. 2026
Separated from his online platform, the film’s star reveals himself as an actor still acquiring the necessary tools for emotional subtlety.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 29 Jan. 2026
One of the many benefits of induction lies in its subtlety.
—Helena Madden, Martha Stewart, 28 Jan. 2026
There’s a level of subtlety throughout, and reassuringly high-quality interiors and fixtures.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for subtlety
Miami Herald, 1 Feb. 2026
Separated from his online platform, the film’s star reveals himself as an actor still acquiring the necessary tools for emotional subtlety.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 29 Jan. 2026
One of the many benefits of induction lies in its subtlety.
—Helena Madden, Martha Stewart, 28 Jan. 2026
There’s a level of subtlety throughout, and reassuringly high-quality interiors and fixtures.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for subtlety
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subtlety
Noun
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Holding viewers by the throat for a handful of strong beats, even as the script slips through the entire cast’s fingers, the devilish actor sells Besson’s interpretation on charisma and cunning.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
6 Feb. 2026
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Strategy and cunning or physicality and grace?—
Zack Pierce,
New York Times,
3 Feb. 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
Cite this Entry
“Subtlety.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subtlety. Accessed 13 Feb. 2026.
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