Synonyms of delicacy

delicacy

noun

ˈde-li-kə-sē 

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

• treat
• dainty
• candy
• sweet
• viand
• titbit
• delectable
• goodie
• goody
• tidbit
• dessert
• cate
• bit
• kickshaw
• morsel
• sweetmeat
• junket

2

as in fragility

the state or quality of having a delicate structure

we never cease to marvel at the delicacy of a snowflake

Synonyms & Similar Words

• fragility
• exquisiteness
• fineness
• daintiness
• brittleness
• frangibility
• flimsiness
• insubstantiality
• friability
• wispiness
• diaphanousness
• crumbliness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• roughness
• coarseness
• solidity
• rudeness
• firmness
• strength
• crudity
• crudeness

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

• daintiness
• fastidiousness
• squeamishness
• queasiness
• finickiness
• fussiness
• qualmishness
• finicalness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• indelicacy
• boldness
• gutsiness

4

as in precision

the quality or state of being very accurate

the delicacy of the watch movement is incredible

Synonyms & Similar Words

• precision
• accuracy
• preciseness
• perfection
• exactness
• exactitude
• fidelity
• fineness
• nicety
• truth
• rigor
• definiteness
• veracity
• definitiveness
• accurateness
• closeness
• rigorousness
• ultraprecision
• strictness
• subtlety
• correctness
• rightness
• fastidiousness
• meticulousness
• determinacy
• carefulness
• definitude
• care
• persnicketiness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• roughness
• approximation
• coarseness
• inaccuracy
• imprecision
• roundness
• inexactness
• inexactitude
• wrongness
• carelessness
• falsity
• impreciseness
• looseness
• incorrectness
• falseness
• vagueness
• guesswork
• indefiniteness

5

as in weakness

the quality or state of lacking physical strength or vigor

all of her life the shy poet gave the appearance of extreme delicacy

Synonyms & Similar Words

• weakness
• exhaustion
• fragility
• feebleness
• fatigue
• languor
• tenderness
• faintness
• debility
• enervation
• impairment
• lowness
• languidness
• frailty
• infirmity
• enfeeblement
• debilitation
• injury
• asthenia
• decay
• frailness
• listlessness
• softness
• wimpiness
• disablement
• decrepitude
• breakdown
• damage
• impotence
• helplessness
• prostration
• powerlessness
• weariness
• collapse
• lassitude
• harm
• invalidism
• defenselessness
• hurt
• incapacitation
• impuissance
• effeteness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• strength
• vigor
• robustness
• hardiness
• vitality
• hardihood
• energy
• virility
• toughness
• fitness
• muscularity
• hardness
• huskiness
• ruggedness
• sturdiness
• health
• stoutness
• lustiness
• soundness
• healthiness
• wellness
• heftiness
• brawniness

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

• sensitivity
• sensitiveness
• perceptiveness
• accuracy
• acuity
• perceptivity
• acuteness
• sharpness
• keenness
• exactness
• hypersensitivity
• exactitude
• hypersensitiveness
• supersensitivity
• oversensitivity
• fineness
• oversensitiveness
• hyperacuity

Examples of delicacy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

When asked about her plans during her time in N.Y.C., Fergie referenced a quintessential delicacy — a hot dog with mustard, ketchup, sauerkraut and relish! —Janine Henni, People.com, 1 Oct. 2024

Those qualities – delicacy, grace and sweetness — are largely encapsulated within the tidy person of Michelle (Hélène Vincent, aged 81 in real life and something similar here). —Stephanie Bunbury, Deadline, 22 Sep. 2024

This wine oozes satiny delicacy with notes of ripe apple, citrus peel and beeswax but the vine age and soils lend the fruit a stony, serious complexity. —Katie Kelly Bell, Forbes, 3 Oct. 2024

Get the Recipe 02 of 12 Tomato Sandwich Many readers responded that this Southern delicacy was a frequent appearance at lunchtime, which makes sense. —Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 28 Sep. 2024