1
as in cunning
clever at attaining one's ends by indirect and often deceptive means
used subtle methods of persuasion
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in nice
made or done with extreme care and accuracy
the subtle strokes of the painter's brush
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in exquisite
satisfying or pleasing because of fineness or mildness
a subtle suggestion of the Near East in the soup's flavoring
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of subtle
There were also subtle echoes to Alessandro Michele’s influence throughout—a welcome nod from Demna, one that bridges past and present while setting the tone for the next Gucci chapter.
—
Laura Jackson, Vogue, 25 Mar. 2026
They’re made from mostly cotton (and sustainable cotton, at that), aren’t too stretchy, and follow the subtle wide leg jeans trend one of our stylists highlights below.
—Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 24 Mar. 2026
Oh, and Kelce gave a subtle nod to his fiancé, superstar singer Taylor Swift.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 24 Mar. 2026
But behind closed doors, business leaders controlling company headcounts are actually telling a more subtle story.
—Jake Angelo, Fortune, 24 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for subtle
Laura Jackson, Vogue, 25 Mar. 2026
They’re made from mostly cotton (and sustainable cotton, at that), aren’t too stretchy, and follow the subtle wide leg jeans trend one of our stylists highlights below.
—Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 24 Mar. 2026
Oh, and Kelce gave a subtle nod to his fiancé, superstar singer Taylor Swift.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 24 Mar. 2026
But behind closed doors, business leaders controlling company headcounts are actually telling a more subtle story.
—Jake Angelo, Fortune, 24 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for subtle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subtle
Adjective
-
In state media comedy shows, jokes about Putin are told from time to time, but they are used to bolster his image as a powerful, cunning leader, and hold up Russia as a great country.—
Neringa Klumbytė,
The Conversation,
4 Mar. 2026
-
These ambitious, cunning, and often amoral Cold War operatives were usually marginal or even inconsequential figures at home.—
Alfred McCoy,
Literary Hub,
26 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Google's $499 Pixel 10a feels a whole lot nicer to use.—
Eric Zeman,
PC Magazine,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Phase One currently is centered on a music theater that (from the point of view of the city) is very much in the nice-to-have-but-fully-served-elsewhere category and on a hotel, which is more promising but still less beneficial when compared with housing.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
There, seasonal bounty from Northern California’s Dry Creek Valley melds with Kyoto’s exquisite Kansai agricultural offerings.—
Matt Bomer,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Mar. 2026
-
My table had Stephen Jones, the exquisite Francesca Hayward from the Royal Ballet, Lila Moss, and a few others, all conjuring up a flavor of those long-ago guests at a decadent bar.—
Hamish Bowles,
Vogue,
23 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Marvin’s a cute little mushroom living in a cozy home beneath a mighty cedar tree.—
Mary Ann Grossmann,
Twin Cities,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Dry off and look cute at the same time with Katydid beach or gym towels.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Let the delicate custard shine.—
Georgeanne Brennan,
Mercury News,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Furthermore, the data gathered by the device could be used to train humanoid robots to perform delicate tasks, such as surgery or complex manufacturing, by mimicking human finesse.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Depending on the combination, this creates either a clean, almost futuristic appeal or a soft, elegant look.—
Jana Ackermann,
Glamour,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Van Beirendonck gravitates toward loud prints in bright colors and allusions to BDSM, whereas Van Saene makes elegant cocktail dresses for women with bow details and shrunken cardigans.—
Marisa Meltzer,
Vanity Fair,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The trailer’s slick wordplay and motherly imagery smartly play on both Latto’s Big Mama persona and the pregnancy rumors that have emerged over the past couple of months.—
Kyle Denis,
Billboard,
20 Mar. 2026
-
On our hike, Jessie Krebs scolds her boots for sliding on a slick, house-size boulder.—
Andrew McKean,
Outdoor Life,
19 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The same year, Kwame Onwuachi set the stage for the explosion of Caribbean fine dining in New York City with Tatiana, his upscale restaurant at Lincoln Center.—
Tori Latham,
Robb Report,
22 Mar. 2026
-
Some timely goals and Swayman’s finest work of the season awaited them.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
22 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Subtle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subtle. Accessed 29 Mar. 2026.
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