1
as in shrewd
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 delicate
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
Ballerinas remain in style, just with a subtle difference from past seasons.
—
René Chávez Esparza,
Glamour,
3 July 2026
Midway through the song, there are subtle cracks and breaks in Spiro’s voice.
—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
3 July 2026
This response could be seen as a subtle jab at Phoenix Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts and ESPN’s Chiney Ogwumike.
—
Jon Root Outkick,
FOXNews.com,
3 July 2026
The singer wore a bright turquoise jacquard suit paired with a white T-shirt and black sneakers for the festivities Friday, July 3, while Seaborn opted for a sunshine-yellow, floor-length gown featuring a subtle floral motif and platform heels.
—
Charlie Carballo,
USA Today,
3 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for subtle
René Chávez Esparza,
Glamour,
3 July 2026
Midway through the song, there are subtle cracks and breaks in Spiro’s voice.
—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
3 July 2026
This response could be seen as a subtle jab at Phoenix Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts and ESPN’s Chiney Ogwumike.
—
Jon Root Outkick,
FOXNews.com,
3 July 2026
The singer wore a bright turquoise jacquard suit paired with a white T-shirt and black sneakers for the festivities Friday, July 3, while Seaborn opted for a sunshine-yellow, floor-length gown featuring a subtle floral motif and platform heels.
—
Charlie Carballo,
USA Today,
3 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for subtle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subtle
Adjective
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That doesn't enable cunning and unprincipled men to subvert the power of the people.
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For decades, humans mined antibiotic molecules from microbes and tweaked them to develop new drugs, staying ahead of evolution’s cunning countermeasures.
Adjective
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The chips beneath were noticeably thin, delicate but sturdy enough to retain their crunch.
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The war remains in a delicate ceasefire while both sides attempt to broker a permanent peace deal.
Adjective
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One of the victors is this exquisite 1937 Delage D8-120 S Aerodynamic Coupe, with flowing bodywork by Parisian coachbuilder Marcel Pourtout.
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Explore Nový Bor, Czech Republic, a hub for exquisite Bohemian glass, and Tönning, Germany, showcasing contemporary wool craftsmanship.
Adjective
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Off a slick feed from Houssem Aouar, Algeria’s Riyad Mahrez scored his second goal of the game to give Algeria a 3-2 lead.
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Appollis made some slick dribbles to set up a right-footed shot from outside the box.
Adjective
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Public health data has taught us that alcohol, which can be fine when consumed in moderation, can be harmful to individual and societal health in excessive amounts.
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Good Chop is dedicated to providing the finest cuts of meat while promoting sustainable practices.
Adjective
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The result is an elegant estate where guests can have a refined Irish breakfast, enjoy afternoon tea or cocktails come sunset.
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Upano’s operatic scope and clean, elegant sentences really swept me off my feet.
Adjective
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Shadow fleet vessels disguise their identity and purpose through a broad range of deceptive activities, including spoofing their locations and destinations.
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The complaint alleged deceptive advertising and other misconduct.
Adjective
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Miller’s exact dress from Debute London, which features a bustier top, lace trim, and a short hemline, is a great example of the details that turn the trend more contemporary, while still nodding to its nostalgic, charming nature.
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Essence is a founder standing in front of tens of thousands of the exact customers a corporate channel would have charged a fortune to reach and gatekept anyway.
Cite this Entry
“Subtle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subtle. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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