as in cunning
skill in achieving one's ends through indirect, subtle, or underhanded means
we appreciated the subtlety with which our host indicated that it was time to leave: he volunteered to pack us a little lunch for the road
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Recent Examples of subtlety
Its recent popularity stems from its subtlety, Mercedes adds.
—
Jacqueline Kilikita, Refinery29, 3 Feb. 2026
My approach balances practicality with subtlety, choosing travel essentials that protect without advertising your valuables.
—Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 1 Feb. 2026
Softness and subtlety are recurring motifs, a striking departure from the current trend among modern Chinese restaurants toward forceful, fiery flavors.
—Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 1 Feb. 2026
For players who take pride in the subtleties of basketball, Unrivaled becomes a stage.
—Miami Herald, 1 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for subtlety
Jacqueline Kilikita, Refinery29, 3 Feb. 2026
My approach balances practicality with subtlety, choosing travel essentials that protect without advertising your valuables.
—Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 1 Feb. 2026
Softness and subtlety are recurring motifs, a striking departure from the current trend among modern Chinese restaurants toward forceful, fiery flavors.
—Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 1 Feb. 2026
For players who take pride in the subtleties of basketball, Unrivaled becomes a stage.
—Miami Herald, 1 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for subtlety
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subtlety
Noun
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Holding viewers by the throat for a handful of strong beats, even as the script slips through the entire cast’s fingers, the devilish actor sells Besson’s interpretation on charisma and cunning.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
6 Feb. 2026
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Strategy and cunning or physicality and grace?—
Zack Pierce,
New York Times,
3 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Mike Bowman, designer, furniture industry expert, and director of marketing for Harmonia Living, says this trend relies on furnishings to bring artfulness to a space—rather than just functionality.—
Patricia Shannon,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Jan. 2026
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There is a real seriousness to the score — the scheming bad-guy music has the artfulness of Prokofiev, and even the sneaking-around cues have musical integrity and structure.—
Tim Greiving,
Vulture,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Subtlety.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subtlety. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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