Thesaurus results for SUBTLENESS

subtleness

noun

as in cunning

skill in achieving one's ends through indirect, subtle, or underhanded means the subtleness with which the boutique owner convinces you that you have to have that outrageously priced article of clothing

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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 subtleness The real surprise comes from the subtleness of the rose. — Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Apr. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for subtleness

Noun

Lethally charming and a natural chameleon, Conal uses social cunning and ruthlessness to get the job done and always gets a thrill out of completing a mission.

— Matt Grobar, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2026
Since the second Inauguration, the Trumps and their satraps have operated with all the commercial cunning of the Corleone family; the White House is their front, their Genco Pura Olive Oil Company.

— David Remnick, New Yorker, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of cunning

Noun

Debicki slips into the villain role with a nice subtlety that doesn’t hit us in the head with her evil plan to make The Fisherwoman regret ever conjuring up this dreamboat.

— Pete Hammond, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2026
The Concept 7 Protection’s subtlety is a result of it being designed to provide security while moving quietly through the regular world, as opposed to an active war zone.

— Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of subtlety

Noun

The term seems to imply a mastery of all the resources of a form, displayed in a surprising context without self-conscious artfulness.

— Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2026
No need to get bogged down in questions about provenance, artfulness, long-form storytelling, or even metaphors.

— Robin Givhan, Vanity Fair, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of artfulness

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“Subtleness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subtleness. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of subtleness

noun

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