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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.

There was never any evidence he could manage any kind of peace negotiation, especially one as delicate as this.

From Salon • Apr. 27, 2026

These fossils were recovered from sites in Japan and Vancouver Island, where calm seafloor conditions helped preserve delicate details.

From Science Daily • Apr. 25, 2026

By targeting visitors in one of Kashmir's busiest hubs, locals say it disrupted a delicate balance that had allowed livelihoods to coexist with instability.

From BBC • Apr. 24, 2026

“Right now, there’s just this very delicate seesaw sitting and neither side is really rising to the top,” said Shari Hensrud, chief investment officer at MissionSquare.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026

The fresh-faced blond woman, with cheeks as delicate as a china doll’s, was in cahoots with a killer?

From "The Detective's Assistant" by Kate Hannigan

Vocabulary lists containing delicate

The Diary of Anne Frank

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Maus I: My Father Bleeds History

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Bridge to Terabithia

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