How to Use subtle in a Sentence

subtle

adjective
Definition of subtlenext
Synonyms for subtlenext
  • She has a subtle mind.
  • It was her subtle way of telling me to mind my own business.
  • He didn't seem to understand my subtle hints.
  • When it comes to giving criticism, sometimes it's best to take a subtle approach.
  • Racial discrimination still exists, only now it's subtler than it once was.
  • The old-school vinyl theme is a subtle nod to that piece of the past.
    — Nikki Delamotte, cleveland.com, 7 May 2018
  • In the bowl, the cabbage is tangy, with a subtle hint of fruit.
    — Janelle Bitker, SFChronicle.com, 3 June 2020
  • The film isn’t subtle about the blatant sexism of the era.
    — Rodney Ho, ajc, 23 Aug. 2021
  • Even in subtle ways that don’t show up in the box score.
    — Chris Biderman, Sacramento Bee, 1 Feb. 2024
  • The heat in the dish is slow, and subtle, gently taking the nip out of the air.
    — Mara Severin, Anchorage Daily News, 25 Feb. 2021
  • None of it is subtle, and not all of it makes much sense.
    — Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Jan. 2022
  • Mix and match the pieces with solids for a more subtle effect.
    — Caitlin King, The Seattle Times, 1 Oct. 2018
  • Check out the subtle shades that are fit for a Queen (and princess) below.
    — Caroline Hallemann, Town & Country, 30 Oct. 2017
  • Who masters the angles and subtle skills that tip the scales?
    — Bryce Miller, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Jan. 2024
  • One thing that fans have latched on to are the not-so-subtle hints that Will might be gay.
    — Lauren Huff, EW.com, 3 June 2022
  • The smell is subtle but not too faint to be used by itself.
    — Tatum Dooley, Teen Vogue, 22 Aug. 2019
  • Those guys are crazy and the soccer guys are more subtle.
    — Steve Millar, chicagotribune.com, 13 Sep. 2021
  • But some people have ties to the Hoosier state that are more subtle.
    — Rashika Jaipuriar, The Indianapolis Star, 20 July 2021
  • The gorgeous white gold piece is subtle but packs a punch, too.
    — Katherine J Igoe, Marie Claire, 17 Jan. 2020
  • But the ways in which wildlife suffer at our hands can be far subtler.
    — Katherine J. Wu, Smithsonian, 9 July 2018
  • The changes are subtle, but make the car look sleeker and smoother than before.
    — Peter Valdes-Dapena, CNN, 3 Dec. 2019
  • The moon will appear darker, but the changes are subtle.
    — Meg Jones, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 9 Jan. 2020
  • The flavor is great, too — buttery with a subtle hint of yeast.
    — Michael Russell, oregonlive, 13 Nov. 2019
  • Things in the real world are a little more subtle than that.
    — Norman Vanamee, Town & Country, 11 July 2021
  • Either the gas wasn’t there, or the effect was too subtle to show up.
    — Quanta Magazine, 10 Sep. 2018
  • Jalapeño pepper: Mild in heat, jalapeños add great color and a subtle heat to the dish.
    — Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 5 Aug. 2023
  • Oak is very subtle; the wine is aged for six to eight months in one-year-old barrels.
    — Marc Bona, cleveland, 9 May 2021
  • There are other, more subtle, hints strewn through the episode, too.
    — Bryan Bishop, The Verge, 18 June 2018
  • On the one hand, social mores have changed in such a way that racists must be even more subtle.
    — Michael Tomasky, The New Republic, 31 Jan. 2022
  • This can be a great way to get in on the trend in a subtle way that doesn’t feel like a big commitment.
    — Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Jan. 2024

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'subtle.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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