1
as in cunning
clever at attaining one's ends by indirect and often deceptive means
used subtle methods of persuasion
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in nice
made or done with extreme care and accuracy
the subtle strokes of the painter's brush
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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
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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of subtle
The difference is subtle, but the fine filter creates milk that's a bit bubblier than the ultrafine filter.
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Jaina Grey, WIRED, 12 Jan. 2025
Fans quickly took to the comments, speculating that the announcement was a subtle hint about the twins.
—Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 12 Jan. 2025
Bellisario layers subtle notes of empathy, softness and even humor under Harmon’s rigid stoicism.
—Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Jan. 2025
So, people who want to help often find ways to repeat themes or subtle offers: The friend who works in HR and keeps talking about the importance of updating one’s resume.
—Jed Brewer, Rolling Stone, 9 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for subtle 
Jaina Grey, WIRED, 12 Jan. 2025
Fans quickly took to the comments, speculating that the announcement was a subtle hint about the twins.
—Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 12 Jan. 2025
Bellisario layers subtle notes of empathy, softness and even humor under Harmon’s rigid stoicism.
—Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Jan. 2025
So, people who want to help often find ways to repeat themes or subtle offers: The friend who works in HR and keeps talking about the importance of updating one’s resume.
—Jed Brewer, Rolling Stone, 9 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for subtle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subtle
Adjective
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Black Friday had become a competitive event requiring planning and cunning to get the good deals first.Mary Meehan, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025
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Finding other disease-causing somatic mutations in rheumatology and related specialties will take skill, cunning, and a willingness to test cells and organs throughout the body.Jason Liebowitz, The Atlantic, 2 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The engagement is certainly a nice break from the recent drama in Pats land - after New England’s season finale, the team fired first-year head coach Jerod Mayo, a move that has been heavily criticized by ex-Patriots.Ryan Morik, Fox News, 16 Jan. 2025
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The Nintendo Switch Lite was a great way to play Switch games on a smaller device, and the Nintendo Switch OLED added a beautiful display and a handful of other nice upgrades.Jay Peters, The Verge, 16 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The offering includes an overnight stay at the hotel, a $200 dining credit to indulge in Chef Cabrera’s exquisite tasting menu, and a late checkout to savor every last moment of the getaway.Keyla Vasconcellos, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
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But the beauty and sublime expressiveness of his voice transcends language as surely as Shorter’s exquisite, constantly probing musicianship.George Varga, The Mercury News, 12 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The kids were very cute & the crates were very broken.Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025
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In the cute black-and-white photo, Hailey, who appeared to be makeup-free, could be seen planting a kiss on Jack’s foot and holding onto his ankle.Hannah Sacks, People.com, 7 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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But even though the tech has made strides, the replicating subtle, delicate, nuanced sensations of touch has remained just out of reach.Mack DeGeurin, Popular Science, 16 Jan. 2025
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They are known for their delicate appearance, long and thin white stems, and small, button-like caps.Michael Gfoeller And David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 16 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The style was elegant and practical, sans any pesky heel height.Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 11 Jan. 2025
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Because while SteamOS provides that smooth, responsive, and elegant experience on Steam Deck, Bazzite currently brings it to many other devices.Jason Evangelho, Forbes, 11 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Freezing fog can limit visibility to three miles or less as well as create slick spots on untreated bridges and overpasses, according to the weather service.Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Jan. 2025
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This slick ultraportable represents an ideal blend of power and battery life with some unexpected features in an attractive, svelte design.PCMAG, PCMAG, 10 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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After whiffing on Juan Soto earlier this offseason, Santander would be a fine consolation prize.Michael Gfoeller And David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 16 Jan. 2025
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This unusual formula brings together the richness of fruit and the delicate flower notes. Passport: Explore the finest destinations and experiences around the world in the Forbes Passport newsletter.Laia Farran Graves, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near subtle
Cite this Entry
“Subtle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subtle. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
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