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
Something of the experience remains afterward but the subtlety and beauty of the actual experience are ineffable.
—
Caleb Harris, Austin American Statesman, 17 July 2025
And none better epitomize the uniquely Audi blend of subtlety, speed, and style than the S6 and RS 6.
—Will Sabel Courtney, Robb Report, 24 June 2025
Sugar was also used to prepare subtleties—edible sculptures made out of marzipan.
—Literary Hub, 29 July 2025
There’s a subtlety to what makes this tour so successful that really does have something to do with volume, or the appearance of it.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 13 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for subtlety
Caleb Harris, Austin American Statesman, 17 July 2025
And none better epitomize the uniquely Audi blend of subtlety, speed, and style than the S6 and RS 6.
—Will Sabel Courtney, Robb Report, 24 June 2025
Sugar was also used to prepare subtleties—edible sculptures made out of marzipan.
—Literary Hub, 29 July 2025
There’s a subtlety to what makes this tour so successful that really does have something to do with volume, or the appearance of it.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 13 July 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,
30 July 2025
-
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.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
28 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Subtlety.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subtlety. Accessed 24 Aug. 2025.
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