Synonyms of exquisite

exquisite 1 of 2

adjective

ek-ˈskwi-zət 

1

as in intense

extreme in degree, power, or effect

felt such exquisite anger at being betrayed by a so-called friend that she could hardly think straight

Synonyms & Similar Words

• intense
• intensive
• fierce
• ferocious
• terrible
• deep
• profound
• furious
• heavy
• acute
• explosive
• vicious
• violent
• dreadful
• ghastly
• frightful
• excruciating
• fearsome
• fearful
• blistering
• vehement
• heavy-duty
• hard
• keen
• intensified
• almighty
• enhanced
• hellacious
• heightened
• harsh
• concentrated
• aggravated
• magnified
• severe
• exhaustive
• accentuated
• thorough
• deepened
• rigorous
• stressed
• emphasized

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• soft
• light
• moderate
• weak
• feeble
• superficial
• shallow
• qualified
• decreased
• eased
• toned (down)
• subdued
• moderated
• reduced
• diminished
• lightened
• lessened
• alleviated
• abated

2

as in elegant

having qualities that appeal to a refined taste

exquisite pen-and-ink drawings of city scenes grace the walls of the formal restaurant

Synonyms & Similar Words

• elegant
• rare
• fine
• exceptional
• special
• select
• excellent
• delicate
• exclusive
• outstanding
• wonderful
• dainty
• choice
• superb
• premium
• classic
• great
• fabulous
• recherché
• fancy
• better
• marvelous
• terrific
• splendid
• high-grade
• superlative
• sensational
• first-class
• superior
• stellar
• jewellike
• elite
• sterling
• unsurpassed
• noble
• transcendent
• prime
• bijou
• first-rate
• top-notch
• par excellence
• top
• grand
• supernal
• tip-top
• ultrarare

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• coarse
• gross
• vulgar
• commercial
• tasteless
• kitschy
• rough
• popular
• unpolished
• unrefined
• ordinary
• uncultivated
• raffish
• uncultured
• common
• rough-hewn
• kitsch
• lowbrow
• lesser
• mediocre
• average
• unsatisfactory
• unacceptable
• inferior
• second-class
• second-rate
• substandard
• mass-produced
• deficient
• low-grade
• wanting
• run-of-the-mine
• run-of-the-mill

3

as in subtle

satisfying or pleasing because of fineness or mildness

waiters at the wedding reception served exquisite hors d'oeuvres from silver trays

Synonyms & Similar Words

• subtle
• elegant
• delicate
• rare
• extraordinary
• refined
• dainty
• supreme
• nuanced
• superior
• fine
• airy
• incomparable
• prime
• transcendent
• superlative
• choice
• select
• peerless
• unsurpassed
• selected
• fragile
• preeminent
• frail
• picked

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• strong
• robust
• sturdy
• coarse
• common
• ordinary
• crude
• rough
• average
• mediocre
• fair
• indifferent
• medium
• second-rate
• middling
• run-of-the-mill

exquisite

2 of 2

noun

as in swell

Related Words

• swell
• cavalier
• blade
• clotheshorse
• coxcomb
• fancy Dan
• dasher
• popinjay
• macaroni
• gallant
• beau
• pretty boy
• Beau Brummell
• fop
• dandy
• dude
• lounge lizard
• jay
• buck

Dissimilar Words

• slob
• sloven

Synonym Chooser

How is the word exquisite different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of exquisite are choice, dainty, delicate, elegant, and rare. While all these words mean "having qualities that appeal to a cultivated taste," exquisite implies a perfection in workmanship or design that appeals only to very sensitive taste.

an exquisite gold bracelet

When could choice be used to replace exquisite?

While the synonyms choice and exquisite are close in meaning, choice stresses preeminence in quality or kind.

choice fabric

When can dainty be used instead of exquisite?

Although the words dainty and exquisite have much in common, dainty sometimes carries an additional suggestion of smallness and of appeal to the eye or palate.

dainty sandwiches

In what contexts can delicate take the place of exquisite?

The words delicate and exquisite are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, delicate implies exquisiteness, subtlety, and fragility.

delicate craftsmanship

Where would elegant be a reasonable alternative to exquisite?

The synonyms elegant and exquisite are sometimes interchangeable, but elegant applies to what is rich and luxurious but restrained by good taste.

a sumptuous but elegant dining room

When is rare a more appropriate choice than exquisite?

While in some cases nearly identical to exquisite, rare suggests an uncommon excellence.

rare beauty

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of exquisite

Adjective

And yet the United States and its allies’ current defense architecture overemphasizes exquisite capabilities while their adversaries, namely China and Russia, possess vast industrial capacity to scale military production. — Dan Driscoll, Foreign Affairs, 28 Sep. 2026

That Tariq’s exquisite pulp fiction never takes its eyes off the prize in terms of who Latif is, his loss, and his beliefs is what makes his genre mash-up so satisfying, so stunning, such a complete rush. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 28 Sep. 2026

Noun

The roughly three-hour, 16-course menu at Sushi by SYC features exquisite takes on classics like Hamachi crudo, wagyu nigiri and live spot prawn. — Colin Wrenn, Denver Post, 23 Sep. 2025

This year, Carol Kane — the chimeric renaissance woman, eternal ingenue, muse to visionaries from Sidney Lumet to Cindy Sherman — rose from the rubble, a mirage made real, in Nathan Silver's exquisite Between the Temples. — Ew Staff, EW.com, 22 Nov. 2024