1
as in cunning
clever at attaining one's ends by indirect and often deceptive means
used subtle methods of persuasion
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of subtle
According to recent announcements, the Galaxy S25 family will showcase both overt and subtle AI functionalities, designed to adjust to user habits seamlessly.
—
Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 23 Jan. 2025
Kramer deliberately chooses the broadest possible metaphors, resulting in a film that is more interested in using a hammer to bluntly shape the outline of the female experience than painting its finest details with a subtle brush.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 23 Jan. 2025
From large-scale installations to subtle nods to the past in design and storytelling, the opportunities are endless.
—Rhett Power, Rolling Stone, 22 Jan. 2025
Picture red tuna fish caught that morning cooked in a subtle mix of local spices and topped over fresh linguine or meatier cuts of fish served like steak with fresh vegetables plucked from nearby farms.
—Rooksana Hossenally, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for subtle 
Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 23 Jan. 2025
Kramer deliberately chooses the broadest possible metaphors, resulting in a film that is more interested in using a hammer to bluntly shape the outline of the female experience than painting its finest details with a subtle brush.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 23 Jan. 2025
From large-scale installations to subtle nods to the past in design and storytelling, the opportunities are endless.
—Rhett Power, Rolling Stone, 22 Jan. 2025
Picture red tuna fish caught that morning cooked in a subtle mix of local spices and topped over fresh linguine or meatier cuts of fish served like steak with fresh vegetables plucked from nearby farms.
—Rooksana Hossenally, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for subtle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subtle
Adjective
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The episode also introduced Andy Garcia as Galino, a powerful and cunning cartel boss.—
Greg Braxton,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Jan. 2025
-
Black Friday had become a competitive event requiring planning and cunning to get the good deals first.—
Mary Meehan,
Forbes,
10 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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And finally, with the Bulls, Chicago would get a nice asset in Randle to help continue their rebuild.—
Barbara A. Perry,
Newsweek,
28 Jan. 2025
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The wide range of neutral-ish shades is a nice departure from the glittery brights already in your makeup bag.—
Annie Blackman,
Allure,
28 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Porsche was building exquisite lightweight sports cars long before the 917K came along, but the incidence of drivers who drove one in period who then went and bought one later in life is an interesting correlation.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
27 Jan. 2025
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Set in an exquisite Parisian town house built as part of the Place Vendôme’s creation in the 19th century, Maison Barrière Vendôme has named each of its 27 rooms after a remarkable woman, whose aesthetic was brought to life by architect Daniel Jibert.—
Lily Templeton,
WWD,
27 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Guests have free access to the hotel’s cute alpine style spa with sauna, steam room and outdoor hot tub.—
Joanne Shurvell,
Forbes,
20 Jan. 2025
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Through cute memes and witty jokes, both groups ridiculed the TikTok ban.—
Jianqing Chen,
The Conversation,
19 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Instead, the United States must engage in a delicate diplomatic maneuver of its own: stopping Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons without driving Tehran into Moscow’s arms.—
Nicole Grajewski,
Foreign Affairs,
28 Jan. 2025
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When Cal is murdered while under Secret Service protection, the delicate balance of life in the town is thrown into chaos, much to the dismay of powerful billionaire Samantha Redmond (Nicholson), who has way more influence than seems normal.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA TODAY,
27 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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An especially fun one is The Group, his soapy adaptation of the 1963 novel by Mary McCarthy, in which wedding guests lunch at the elegant old Brevoort Hotel before trailing the happy couple to the subway (and throwing rice down the stairs after them).—
Vogue,
Vogue,
25 Jan. 2025
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Photos in front of the pulpit captured West’s her childhood and youthful beauty as well as the elegant matron who would come to be called Mother Rose by both her family and many students at her alma mater, Sacramento High School.—
Cathie Anderson,
Sacramento Bee,
24 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Alabama The following counties will be impacted by slick road conditions: Coffee, Dale, Henry, Geneva and Houston.—
John Yoo and John Shu,
Newsweek,
24 Jan. 2025
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They’re lined with cozy, supportive cotton fur and have rubber soles that are an asset against slick, snowy terrain.—
Merrell Readman,
Travel + Leisure,
19 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Bones and teeth are then ground into a fine, ivory powder and returned to the deceased’s family — much like the remains from cremation, without the ashen hue.—
Collin Blinder,
The Mercury News,
28 Jan. 2025
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Afterward, people grasp for meaning, but most don’t suddenly have a eureka moment a few days later and then feel fine.—
Tribune News Service,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near subtle
Cite this Entry
“Subtle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subtle. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025.
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