✅ Skulk means to move in a sneaky or surreptitious way (The cat skulked through the bushes).

✅ Slink means to move in a furtive way, especially out of fear or embarrassment (I slinked away after the reprimand).

✅ Both of these terms mean to move in a stealthy way.

✅ However, slink suggests trying not to draw attention to yourself out of fear, whereas skulk suggests trying to get away with something (The thief skulked through the shadows; I slinked away before I got caught).

✅ A rule is a regulation or principle that is designed to regulate behavior or actions (We only have three rules in this house).

✅ A guideline is a principle that governs or offers guidance regarding conduct or actions (Format your submissions according to our guidelines).

✅ Both of these terms refer to regulations and guiding principles.

✅ Rules are generally stricter and more inviolable than guidelines.

✅ Subtle describes things that are clever in a delicate way or that demonstrate skill or specific kinds of intelligence and knowledge (a subtle insult; subtle poetry).

✅ Sophisticated describes people who are no longer naive due to education and culture and things that reflect the tastes, attitudes, and behaviors of such people (a sophisticated novel; sophisticated cocktails).

✅ Both of these terms describe things that demonstrate or evoke worldly knowledge, education, and culture.

✅ Subtle emphasizes that the skill may be difficult to see or understand. Sophisticated emphasizes a sense of elevated culture.