Subtle describes something delicate, understated, and difficult to perceive or analyze. It implies a finesse or refinement that operates in a nuanced way, often requiring close attention to detect. The quality of being subtle can apply to sensory experiences, such as a subtle aroma or a slight shift in temperature, or to abstract concepts like subtle humor, political maneuvering, or artistic expression. It often signifies a lack of obviousness or overtness, implying a degree of sophistication and depth.
Subtle meaning with examples
- The chef's masterpiece had a subtle blend of spices, revealing layers of flavor that unfolded slowly with each bite. The dish was not overpowering, but intricate.
- Her subtle changes in body language—a slight hesitation, a fleeting glance—betrayed her nervousness during the interview, even though her words were calm.
- The artist used subtle gradations of color to create a sense of depth and atmosphere in the painting. The effect was ethereal and captivating.
- Political negotiations are often characterized by subtle strategies, such as carefully worded statements and indirect communication, to achieve specific goals.
- The comedian's subtle wit relied on understated delivery and clever observations, prompting laughter through unexpected twists of language.
Subtle Synonyms
delicate faint implicit indirect insidious nuanced refined sophisticated suggestive understatedSubtle Antonyms
blatant bold crude explicit gross noticeable obvious overt pronounced pronouncedSubtle Crossword Answers
3 Letters
SLY
4 Letters
NICE
5 Letters
FAINT
7 Letters
TENUOUS REFINED ELUSIVE NUANCED
8 Letters
DELICATE DISCREET
9 Letters
INGENIOUS INSIDIOUS
10 Letters
NONOBVIOUS PERNICIOUS