as in cunning
skill in achieving one's ends through indirect, subtle, or underhanded means
we appreciated the subtlety with which our host indicated that it was time to leave: he volunteered to pack us a little lunch for the road
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Recent Examples of subtlety
But the heart of the musical and its two cast standouts are Kylie Stucki, who plays Emma with subtlety, sincerity and a lovely singing voice, and Kürt Norby, as the larger-than-life gay Broadway actor Barry Glickman, who is hilariously over the top, but also sweet and vulnerable underneath.
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Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 May 2025
On fashion’s most theatrical night, Khan’s look achieved its impact through its (relative) subtlety.
—Manglien Gangte, Vogue, 6 May 2025
The people who insist on making sense speak in small, prim voices, trusting their listeners to understand subtleties of tone.
—Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 5 May 2025
The royal family traditionally has never been known for either its sensitivity or subtlety.
—Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 23 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for subtlety
Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 May 2025
On fashion’s most theatrical night, Khan’s look achieved its impact through its (relative) subtlety.
—Manglien Gangte, Vogue, 6 May 2025
The people who insist on making sense speak in small, prim voices, trusting their listeners to understand subtleties of tone.
—Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 5 May 2025
The royal family traditionally has never been known for either its sensitivity or subtlety.
—Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 23 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for subtlety
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subtlety
cunning
Noun
-
Neither his fearsome resolve nor his supreme cunning—which had enabled him to vanquish his rivals and spiritually crush his inner circle—was in evidence in 1941.—
Stephen Kotkin,
Foreign Affairs,
19 Sep. 2017
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Despite being outnumbered 50-to-1 by the Five Families of the Italian mafia, the Westies’ legendary brutality and cunning have given them the leverage necessary to share the spoils through a fragile détente.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
18 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Subtlety.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subtlety. Accessed 31 May. 2025.
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