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
Parkes symbolizes this through occasional split-screen shots of skylines slightly misaligned in color and angle; the film has all the subtlety of a sledgehammer, and all the forceful momentum too.
—
Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 17 Mar. 2026
The earthy subtlety of the beet puree complements the mushrooms, and the crunchy leeks add texture.
—Barbara Ellis, Denver Post, 9 Mar. 2026
My approach balances practicality with subtlety, choosing travel essentials that protect without advertising your valuables.
—Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 8 Mar. 2026
There is little subtlety about Operation Epic Fury, right down to its name.
—Vivian Salama, The Atlantic, 6 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for subtlety
Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 17 Mar. 2026
The earthy subtlety of the beet puree complements the mushrooms, and the crunchy leeks add texture.
—Barbara Ellis, Denver Post, 9 Mar. 2026
My approach balances practicality with subtlety, choosing travel essentials that protect without advertising your valuables.
—Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 8 Mar. 2026
There is little subtlety about Operation Epic Fury, right down to its name.
—Vivian Salama, The Atlantic, 6 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for subtlety
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subtlety
Noun
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The confidence that began Carrick’s spell in charge will need to be matched with new cunning and craft.—
Carl Anka,
New York Times,
5 Mar. 2026
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But Muck is no Epstein, malevolent and cunning.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
2 Mar. 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 29 Mar. 2026.
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