nuanced

adjective

nu·​anced ˈnü-ˌän(t)st 

ˈnyü-;

nü-ˈän(t)st, 

nyü-

: having nuances : having or characterized by subtle and often appealingly complex qualities, aspects, or distinctions (as in character or tone)

a nuanced performance

Whenever the movie focusses on Van Doren and Goodwin and Stempel, it treats them as nuanced human beings. But other characters in the film … are sketched less fully.

—Ken Auletta

And in this rare instance, the family-friendly franchise isn't a bland, pabulum compromise but a more inspired, nuanced alternative.

—Mike Flaherty

This more psychologically nuanced self-examination requires that we honestly challenge our beliefs and summon the courage to act on that information, which may lead to fresh ways of thinking about our lives and our goals.

—Camille Sweeney and Josh Gosfield

Synonyms of nuanced

• subtle
• delicate
• nice

Examples of nuanced in a Sentence

a nuanced, shaded representation of a hot-button issue that is too often depicted in black and white

a sauce with a nuanced lemon flavor that doesn't overwhelm the taste of the fish

Recent Examples on the Web

High-rate balances that rapidly generate interest or consume a large portion of monthly income generally warrant more urgency, while lower-cost debts may benefit from a more nuanced approach. — Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026

Trump’s super intelligence rebrand can ultimately be read in a couple ways, though arguably neither are particularly nuanced or incisive — just further indicative of the daily deluge of stupid. — Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 7 Oct. 2026

Although the problem warrants a systemic fix, the best short-term solution is for hospitals to create more nuanced documentation tools, and for clinicians to exercise judgment when using them. — Leah Pierson, STAT, 6 Oct. 2026

Over time, large-scale replication and extension studies of the marshmallow test with more diverse socioeconomic and racial samples found more nuanced findings. — Joan M. Cook, Time, 3 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

nuance + -ed entry 1

First Known Use

1881, in the meaning defined above