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
The subtlety and mundanity of life is funny enough.
—
Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 31 May 2026
Tom Morello has never exactly trafficked in subtlety.
—Spin Staff, SPIN, 29 May 2026
The astrologer adds that just like a Virgo, this style doesn't seek attention but perfection, as shown by the fact that everything has its place, every element serves a purpose, and the beauty lies in the subtlety and care behind the design.
—Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 May 2026
The book also goes deeper into Silvia’s relationship to motherhood, but Sotomayor wanted to broach the subject with a certain subtlety on screen.
—Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 17 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for subtlety
Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 31 May 2026
Tom Morello has never exactly trafficked in subtlety.
—Spin Staff, SPIN, 29 May 2026
The astrologer adds that just like a Virgo, this style doesn't seek attention but perfection, as shown by the fact that everything has its place, every element serves a purpose, and the beauty lies in the subtlety and care behind the design.
—Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 May 2026
The book also goes deeper into Silvia’s relationship to motherhood, but Sotomayor wanted to broach the subject with a certain subtlety on screen.
—Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 17 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for subtlety
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subtlety
Noun
-
Unable to outrun the Bitchfist, the Hand earns his reputation for cunning and courage.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
22 June 2026
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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,
17 June 2026
Noun
-
All of this shone vividly through his work, which shared his joy, artfulness and deep feeling, and most of all privileged human experience and social interaction.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2026
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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
Noun
-
The real surprise comes from the subtleness of the rose.—
Katlyn Moncada,
Better Homes & Gardens,
17 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Subtlety.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subtlety. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
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