subtile

adjective

Definition of subtilenext
as in subtle

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Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for subtile
  1. subtle
  2. cunning
  3. wily
  4. artful
  5. crafty
  6. trick
  7. sly
  8. tricky
Adjective
  • Poindexter featured his three daughters in his first campaign advertisement for the general election, taking a subtle dig at Miller.
    — Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Later still, we are introduced to Satoko Iijima (Ishida), who again shares many defining features with her two namesakes, albeit with just enough subtle differences to keep the audience on the back foot.
    — James Marsh, Variety, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of subtle
Adjective
  • Magpies are opportunistic scavengers, incredibly cunning and deceitful and capable of calculated deception.
    — Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Last week, Alan Cumming’s cunning competition empire The Traitors unsheathed its most diabolical twist yet.
    — Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of cunning
Adjective
  • The movie was initially teased with a wily fake relationship.
    — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 23 Sep. 2026
  • The Italian champions’ addition of Three Lions — England internationals John Stones, Curtis Jones and Djed Spence — is aimed at bringing more dynamism to a wily group who have reached two Champions League finals in four years.
    — James Horncastle, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of wily
Adjective
  • Some are simply for those who want to hide ugly rental apartment floors with a bold colorway or an artful pattern.
    — Elly Leavitt, Vogue, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Elevated flats dominate for day, while statement heels confirm that sculptural, artful footwear is officially back.
    — Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of artful
Adjective
  • This year, there’s something for nearly every interest, from cheese lovers and bookworms to crafty adults and puzzle enthusiasts.
    — Casey DelBasso, ABC News, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Soto has been crafty on the base paths, recording nine steals on 12 attempts.
    — Data Skrive, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of crafty
Adjective
  • As Halloween approaches, investors seem fearful that good credit performance may be more trick than treat.
    — Telis Demos, WSJ, 21 Oct. 2022
  • If the high cost of it all is more trick than treat for you, here are several ways to turn your already smart home into a spook-tacularly genius haunted house.
    — Jennifer Jolly, USA TODAY, 28 Oct. 2021
Definition of trick
Adjective
  • Whether these stories are fictional or heightened for comic effect is irrelevant; Simmons-Patterson’s conversational delivery and sly smile are so magnetic that audiences want to spend time in his universe either way.
    — Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Asked if Cole would be guaranteed a start in the Wild Card round, the likeliest scenario for the Yankees, the manager replied with a sly smile on Friday.
    — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of sly
Adjective
  • Defender Josh Yaro put Boise (14-8-7) on the board in the 11th minute in front of 7,219 fans, heading home a cross from Barea after a tricky corner kick.
    — Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Sounds simple on paper, but this is a very tricky thing to achieve.
    — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of tricky
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.

Browse Nearby Words

subterranean
subtile
subtilty
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Cite this Entry

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

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