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Definitions

delicate

[del-i-kit] / ˈdɛl ɪ kɪt /

ADJECTIVE

dainty, weak

Synonyms

STRONGEST

delicious delightful elegant exquisite fragile gentle graceful mild rare soft subtle tender

WEAK

aerial balmy breakable choice delectable ethereal faint filmy fine fine-grained finespun flimsy fracturable frail frangible gauzy gossamery hairline muted nice pale pastel recherché select shatterable shattery slight subdued superior

Antonyms

STRONGEST

callous crude firm hard harsh healthy horrible loud ordinary rough strong tough ugly unpleasant violent

WEAK

coarse healthful heavy imprecise indelicate indiscriminating inelegant insensitive robust uncareful uncritical unscrupulous

ADJECTIVE

sickly

Synonyms

STRONGEST

fragile slender tender

WEAK

ailing debilitated decrepit feeble flimsy frail infirm shatterable shattery slight susceptible unhealthy weak

Antonyms

STRONGEST

tough

WEAK

coarse harsh healthful healthy heavy imprecise indelicate indiscriminating inelegant insensitive robust rough strong uncareful uncritical unscrupulous

ADJECTIVE

fussy, discriminating

Synonyms

STRONGEST

critical gentle refined sensitive

WEAK

alert careful dainty fastidious finical finicking finicky nice particular persnickety prudish pure scrupulous squeamish thin-skinned

Antonyms

WEAK

coarse harsh healthful healthy heavy imprecise indelicate indiscriminating inelegant insensitive robust rough strong uncareful uncritical unscrupulous

ADJECTIVE

difficult, sticky (situation)

Synonyms

STRONGEST

critical precarious sensitive ticklish touchy tricky unpredictable volatile

WEAK

hair-trigger uncertain

Antonyms

STRONGEST

calm easy firm stable

WEAK

coarse harsh healthful healthy heavy imprecise indelicate indiscriminating inelegant insensitive robust rough strong uncareful uncritical unscrupulous

ADJECTIVE

careful, tactful

Synonyms

STRONGEST

deft detailed precise sensitive

WEAK

accurate adept cautious considerate diplomatic discreet expert foresighted heedful masterly minute politic proficient prudent skilled tactical wary

Antonyms

WEAK

coarse harsh healthful healthy heavy imprecise indelicate indiscriminating inelegant insensitive robust rough strong uncareful uncritical unscrupulous

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“Layoffs remain quite low, keeping the labor market in a delicate balance.”

From MarketWatch • Apr. 3, 2026

Stella’s arrival on the scene upsets the delicate balance of this little community, causing missed cues, injuries, canceled performances and worse.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

Fed chair Jerome Powell has described the economy as being in a delicate balance, with muted job creation but also relatively limited job cuts.

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026

“Although his health appears good at this time, he is at a delicate stage, and the Zoo will monitor him closely as he grows,” the Oakland Zoo said in a statement Thursday.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

A moment later, there it is: a delicate, answering trill.

From "Willodeen" by Katherine Applegate

delicate

Example Sentences

Related Words