subtle

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.

This is done by tracking subtle movements in the host star and measuring the gravitational pull exerted by the orbiting object.

From Science Daily • Apr. 4, 2026

Bear markets rarely emerge without warning, not that one is necessarily at hand, but subtle signs of distribution often build quietly before becoming more pronounced.

From Barron's • Apr. 2, 2026

"AI tools aren't 100% reliable — they can fail in subtle ways and yet operators continue to over-trust them," she told NBC News last month.

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026

As the sun sank, neighbors began banging spoons on metal pots from inside their homes, the subtle but unmistakable clank of government protests.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 29, 2026

He attended school functions and the girls' sporting events as he could, but his opportunities to mingle were limited, and the presence of his security detail was never subtle.

From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama