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
Designed for headphone listening, blue fifty-six revels in the subtle manipulation of space, panning elements into a taut omnidirectional tapestry.
—
Maxie Younger, Pitchfork, 11 Feb. 2026
Taking a step back, the EB-XQ2030B represents a subtle but important shift in projection.
—New Atlas, 11 Feb. 2026
The elegant contemporary interiors are not flashy, but rather exude understated luxury with subtle nautical details.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Feb. 2026
Wear it on its own for a subtle glossy sheen or layer it over your favorite lipstick to fight winter dryness.
—Jordan Julian, InStyle, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for subtle
Maxie Younger, Pitchfork, 11 Feb. 2026
Taking a step back, the EB-XQ2030B represents a subtle but important shift in projection.
—New Atlas, 11 Feb. 2026
The elegant contemporary interiors are not flashy, but rather exude understated luxury with subtle nautical details.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Feb. 2026
Wear it on its own for a subtle glossy sheen or layer it over your favorite lipstick to fight winter dryness.
—Jordan Julian, InStyle, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for subtle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subtle
Adjective
-
Goldsworthy has made cunning edits of the landscape throughout Penpont.—
Rebecca Mead,
New Yorker,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Perhaps most perceptively captivating is the sweetly cunning way Marczak inserts himself into the film.—
Murtada Elfadl,
Variety,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The potluck is chaotic but really nice.—
R29 Team,
Refinery29,
11 Feb. 2026
-
And if there is a next step, that would be nice.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Laocoön and His Sons, an exquisite marble sculpture of the legendary Trojan priest writhing in agony as he’s attacked by sea-serpents, was first unearthed in the early sixteenth-century, the only missing piece his right arm.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Feb. 2026
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Guests settle into plush dining chairs and couchette-style hideouts for exquisite suppers in Art Deco interiors, all while the train trundles through the British countryside.—
Connor Sturges,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The Puppy Bowl isn’t just cute — it’s built around adoption, heart and moments that matter beyond Super Bowl Sunday.—
Kelsey Monstrola,
USA Today,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Don’t be shy when playing around with colors, patterns, and cute Galentine’s motifs.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Bring in Other Scents Scent can be introduced in a variety of ways, from candles and diffusers to delicate room sprays.—
Kate Donovan,
Martha Stewart,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Young boys cleaned test tubes, brawny machinists built gauges and mills, and scales delicate enough to weigh an inch of a spider's web.—
Natalia Sánchez Loayza,
Scientific American,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
And after all, luxury isn’t a price point, but an elegant state of mind.—
John Monaco,
InStyle,
7 Feb. 2026
-
The cap-sleeve, cotton-blend top features an elegant, drapy design in the front.—
Melony Forcier,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Those videos, especially in the case of Alex Pretti’s shooting, drowned out both the slop and slick government productions.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Tailors the engine torque and transmission shift patterns to reduce wheel spin on icy or slick roads.—
Tony Leopardo,
Mercury News,
8 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Slot bemoaned the fine margins but there have been far too many hard-luck stories.—
James Pearce,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Chips and dip are fine, but get creative.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Subtle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subtle. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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