subtle

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.

You don’t keep playing R.E.M. on the soundtrack if you want to be subtle.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 29, 2026

Tuchel has been firm in stating his system and approach will largely look the same throughout the tournament but on Saturday we saw subtle tweaks, with injuries in the squad.

From BBC • Jun. 28, 2026

Pacala rejected the concern that BP’s influence on their thinking might be subtle, stating that people who are subconsciously influenced in this way have “weak character.”

From Salon • Jun. 26, 2026

"A subtle but important insight from the paper is that a guess doesn't have to be the most likely answer; it simply has to be informative," said Donald Stephens, a doctoral student at Binghamton University.

From Science Daily • Jun. 19, 2026

But Lexie was seldom, if ever, offended: subtle implications and subtexts tended to bounce off the fine mesh of her brain.

From "Little Fires Everywhere" by Celeste Ng