subtle

[suht-l] / ˈsʌt l /

ADJECTIVE

nice, quiet, delicate

Synonyms

STRONGEST

exquisite faint indirect ingenious profound slight sophisticated understated

WEAK

attenuate attenuated deep discriminating ethereal fine finespun hairline hairsplitting illusive implied inconspicuous indistinct inferred insinuated mental penetrating refined suggestive tenuous thin

Antonyms

STRONGEST

ignorant stupid

WEAK

forthright hard harsh honest noisy open unsubtle

ADJECTIVE

clever, cunning

Synonyms

STRONGEST

complex detailed insidious intriguing precise shrewd skillful sly

WEAK

analytic analytical artful astute crafty deep designing devious dexterous exacting foxy guileful keen penetrating perceptive ratiocinative scheming wily

Antonyms

STRONGEST

honest open simple

WEAK

forthright hard harsh noisy unsubtle

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

These subtle variations can reveal how and where molecules were formed.

From Science Daily

“Age verification lets adults control the narratives that young people see — it’s not subtle.’

From Salon

These factors influence how cells behave through subtle chemical changes known as epigenetic modifications.

From Science Daily

Bad Bunny’s signifiers were subtler, although some may not have contained the meaning people read into them.

From Salon

It was early in the season that Liverpool supporters noticed a subtle change at the club's training ground.

From BBC