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View synonyms for subtlety

subtlety

[ suht-l-tee ]

noun

, plural sub·tle·ties.
  1. the state or quality of being subtle.
  2. delicacy or nicety of character or meaning.
  3. acuteness or penetration of mind; delicacy of discrimination.
  4. a fine-drawn distinction; refinement of reasoning:

    the subtleties of logic.

  5. something subtle.
  6. History/Historical. an elaborate confection, ornate in construction and ornamentation, sometimes edible but more often made and used as a decoration for a table or buffet.


subtlety

/ ˈsʌtəltɪ /

noun

  1. the state or quality of being subtle; delicacy
  2. a fine distinction or the ability to make such a distinction
  3. something subtle


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Other Words From

  • hyper·subtle·ty noun
  • non·subtle·ty noun plural nonsubtleties
  • over·subtle·ty noun plural oversubtleties

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Word History and Origins

Origin of subtlety1

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English subtelte, sutilte, from Old French sutilte, from Latin subtīlitāt-, stem of subtīlitās “fineness,” equivalent to subtīli(s) “fine, slender” ( subtile ) + -ty 2

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Example Sentences

In his opulent maroon suit, Dickens flaunts his fame and fortune with so little subtlety he makes Kanye West appear modest.

Political or not, shown in New York or Budapest, it is a worthy achievement composed with taste and subtlety.

The violence was turned up to 11, but the message could still have been handled with more subtlety.

But Nicki doesn't just tell us she has a big, fat, ass—that would lack craft and subtlety.

Without context, subtlety, and commentary, a parody begins to look eerily like the scenario it is attempting to skewer.

The apparent slightness of these English changes reveals their deliberate subtlety.

"Jack wants you to go for a walk," announced Miss Thangue, who saw no occasion for subtlety.

His quick-wittedness and the subtlety of his character make him full of quaint remarks and funny and unexpected comparisons.

This arrangement was not to Gwynne's taste, but he had developed subtlety in such matters and bided his time.

Accustomed to women of a more sophisticated class, Jean had at first taken her navet for the height of subtlety.

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