nuance

noun

Definition of nuancenext
1
as in distinction
as in subtlety They studied every nuance conveyed in the painting.

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2
as in sensitivity
as in insight She had the nuance to express delicate feelings without being melodramatic.

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of nuance There are also Heisman Trophy nuances to watch, with Florida running back Jadan Baugh, Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith and Mississippi State quarterback Kamario Taylor. — ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026 That’s because Greater China has its own market nuances, and thus far Nike hasn’t been able to adapt its model to ensure success in the region. — Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 2 Oct. 2026 The language, nuance and emotional connection were often missed. — Alvin Stafford, Forbes.com, 1 Oct. 2026 The home’s nuances that only become apparent after knowing it on such an intimate level—like the subtle changes in the views to the ways the light enters the room—have deepened their appreciation for the architect’s vision. — Katherine McLaughlin, Architectural Digest, 29 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for nuance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nuance
  1. distinction
  2. sensitivity
  3. subtlety
  4. insight
Noun
  • Stillness, which had seemed ontologically secondary to the art form, now gained distinction as a substantive component.
    — Sophie Landres, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
  • The distinction matters in environments such as logistics and manufacturing, where productivity depends on throughput rather than simply completing an individual movement.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of distinction
Noun
  • Hotels increasingly use signature scents to shape their brands, but guests with asthma or chemical sensitivities say those fragrances can trigger headaches and other problems.
    — Christopher Reynolds, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Burlington has also taken steps to reduce its weather sensitivity, including strengthening its home products assortments.
    — Deena Zaidi, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of sensitivity
Noun
  • Part of lilac’s staying power may also come from its subtlety.
    — Jennet Jusu, Allure, 28 Sep. 2026
  • The hope is that Emma’s story will offer a fresh perspective on a genre that hasn’t always treated its female characters with a lot of nuance or subtlety.
    — Brent Lang, IndieWire, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of subtlety
Noun
  • The aim is to help a variety of institutions gain insights into the origins of their collections, providing a basis for further actions.
    — Anne Doran, ARTnews.com, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Also at Iberseries, Pedro Lopes, director general of content at SPi in Portugal, gave some insight into typical microdrama viewing behavior.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of insight

Browse Nearby Words

nth
nuance
nuanced
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Cite this Entry

“Nuance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nuance. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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