Definition of delicacynext
1
as in treat
something that is pleasing to eat because it is rare or a luxury presented with a plate of national delicacies while they waited for the queen

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
3
as in daintiness
the tendency to be or state of being squeamish the urgent need for blood prompted many people to overcome their habitual delicacy and become first-time donors

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

4
5
6
as in sensitivity
the state or quality of being able to sense slight impressions or differences the delicacy of the sensor is such that it will be affected by the slightest vibration

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of delicacy Once in Dun, Mathilda gorges herself on strange delicacies while assembling disparate pieces of Hermia. Literary Hub, 12 Mar. 2026 Sushi aficionados will gravitate to the supplemental options for cult favorites like shimmery kohada and sticky-buttery nodoguro, and fleeting seasonal delicacies like kawahagi, a winter fish often intensified with a crowning slice of its own liver. Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2026 Inspired by traditional costume and folkloric craft, Chemena Kamali created a collection that was not only beautiful in its delicacy but also incredible for the effort and time that went into it. Kevin Huynh, InStyle, 12 Mar. 2026 But Bare wanted Dinette to have its own delicacies, too. Kansas City Star, 3 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for delicacy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for delicacy
Noun
  • The best space here is undoubtedly the breakfast room and the tiered terrace that runs off it and into the garden—such a charming treat in the middle of a capital city.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Mar. 2026
  • The welcome is constant, an unceasing parade of treats and niceties that conspire to make a person feel not just greeted, but embraced.
    Mattie Kahn, Vogue, 17 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • So why shouldn’t Trump exploit that fragility to land a death blow against a murderous adversary?
    Franklin Foer, The Atlantic, 11 Mar. 2026
  • But there is no escape on Earth from either the fragility of life or the planet’s reckoning with climate change.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • With a daintiness at odds with its 120 kilos, the bear extricates its wrist from the tie and calmly takes its leave.
    Ganesh Marín, The Dial, 7 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Estimates suggest that precision agriculture will expand robustly through the latter half of the decade, and individuals guiding this expansion will be in demand.
    Metro Creative Services, Boston Herald, 16 Mar. 2026
  • Each arm can rotate different layers of the puzzle with precision.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 16 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • That's a break from the typical relationship that has tied elevated energy costs to market weakness since the Iran war broke out.
    Paulina Likos, CNBC, 17 Mar. 2026
  • In another post, Newsom said dyslexia isn't a weakness, but a strength.
    Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 17 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • This form of beta-casein allegedly makes milk easier to digest for those with lactose sensitivities and makes for richer-tasting than milk with the protein’s A1 variety.
    Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 13 Mar. 2026
  • Last August, sandwiched uneasily between thousands in Grant Park, when Sabrina Carpenter invited out Earth, Wind and Fire, and Lollapalooza erupted in surprise, my internal sensitivity switch flipped and, again, tears.
    Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Bryant is a restrained writer, and the fastidiousness of his elastic text does little to allay those who are likely to become inflamed.
    Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 1 Feb. 2026
  • More such fastidiousness will be needed to arrest the domino effect of delegitimization and to renew the small guarantees of truth and dignity in public life customarily provided by legacy institutions.
    Sean Williams, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Its massive 60mm Eclipse dual drivers give you high-fidelity 24-bit audio, while the flip-to-mute mic offers broadcast-quality voice accuracy.
    Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 17 Mar. 2026
  • But [there are] accuracy issues, decision-making issues.
    Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 17 Mar. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Delicacy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/delicacy. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on delicacy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster