1
as in subtle
satisfying or pleasing because of fineness or mildness
a heavy sauce would spoil the delicate flavor of this fish
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sensitive
able to sense slight impressions or differences
only a person with delicate taste buds could tell the difference between these two wines
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3
as in virtuoso
accomplished with trained ability
the delicate handling of a difficult diplomatic situation
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4
as in fragile
easily broken
delicate glassware that must be carefully wrapped for shipping
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5
as in frail
easily injured without careful handling
the delicate ecosystem of the wetlands
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6
as in careful
hard to please
a person of delicate tastes
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7
as in elegant
having qualities that appeal to a refined taste
delicate perfumes that only a connoisseur of scents would appreciate
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8
as in weak
lacking bodily strength
a delicate child who was never allowed to play sports
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9
as in nice
made or done with extreme care and accuracy
delicate measurements of brain tumors that are only possible using the latest medical technology
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10
as in accurate
meeting the highest standard of accuracy
extremely delicate instruments such as an atomic clock
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11
as in gentle
not harsh or stern especially in nature or effect
a delicate breeze was floating in from the open window
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12
as in difficult
requiring exceptional skill or caution in performance or handling
the delicate challenge of inviting two people who don't like each other to the same party
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of delicate
Support any delicate items with a sturdy base of wood or moss to separate it from the pumpkin itself.
—
Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Sep. 2025
Sherbet oranges and turquoise dominated the color story, rendered in gossamer materials like ruffled chiffon and delicate lace.
—Skylar Mitchell, Essence, 18 Sep. 2025
The delicate floral pattern comes in this traditional blue reminiscent of our grandparent’s kitchenware, black and white for a more versatile look, or a warm brown that’s perfect for fall table decor mixed with candles and gourds (and, of course, a fresh slice of pumpkin pie on top).
—Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 17 Sep. 2025
That their hair gets better with every spritz of this delicate dry styler.
—Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for delicate
Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Sep. 2025
Sherbet oranges and turquoise dominated the color story, rendered in gossamer materials like ruffled chiffon and delicate lace.
—Skylar Mitchell, Essence, 18 Sep. 2025
The delicate floral pattern comes in this traditional blue reminiscent of our grandparent’s kitchenware, black and white for a more versatile look, or a warm brown that’s perfect for fall table decor mixed with candles and gourds (and, of course, a fresh slice of pumpkin pie on top).
—Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 17 Sep. 2025
That their hair gets better with every spritz of this delicate dry styler.
—Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for delicate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for delicate
Adjective
-
His celebration was subtle yet suave, a drop of his bat with a flick of his wrist.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
13 Sep. 2025
-
This is clearly a quick screen and may not pick up more subtle issues.—
Bruce Y. Lee,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Formulated without alcohol or hydrogen peroxide, the TheraBreath Whitening Fresh Breath Oral Rinse uses glucose oxidase and enzymes called papain to help break up stains and kill bad-breath-causing bacteria—all without aggravating sensitive teeth and gums.—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Organizations are increasingly relying on AI to handle the initial assessment load, especially in high-volume or compliance-sensitive hiring scenarios.—
Aaron Dhaliwal,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Kirk Baxter’s arrhythmic cutting is designed around quicksilver shifts that, along with Barry Ackroyd’s restlessly attentive, mostly handheld camerawork, allow Bigelow to redirect our attention with virtuoso command.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The institutions of the new democracy were fragile, and the military still wielded enough influence to block meaningful accountability.—
Julia Vargas Jones,
CNN Money,
12 Sep. 2025
-
The gown has since become too fragile to showcase and doesn’t leave the museum.—
Ariana Quihuiz,
PEOPLE,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
But Eliasen is careful not to let scope creep derail initial implementations.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Be careful when handling debris that may have blown into your yard.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Rows and rows of spacious houses with yards, everything new, tidy as can be imagined, with elegant transportation to and from the workplace right there—all for working people.—
Brian Domitrovic,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
-
Posing next to Colman Domingo and Salma Hayek Pinault (who wore an elegant black Balenciaga suit dress), Moore’s glitzy look shone.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The ultrarich formula uses amino acids to reinforce weak strands, glycerin to hydrate and soften, silicones to smooth the cuticle, and coconut oil to add more moisture and shine.—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
-
China’s economy showed further signs of weakness last month, with key data Monday revealing factory output and consumption rising at their weakest pace for around a year.—
Nino Paoli,
Fortune,
15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Giving Wickham a nice holiday tan would be a bridge too far for the genteel world of Jane Austen.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Some decisions are prudent, such as the Las Vegas Raiders to defeat the New England Patriots at a nice underdog price.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Delicate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/delicate. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.
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