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.

When that did not happen, Orie felt a shift inside him, even if it was subtle.

From BBC • Apr. 6, 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

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

Although the study focused on fish, the findings suggest that tracking subtle daily behaviors such as movement and sleep, now commonly recorded by wearable devices, could provide insight into how aging progresses in humans.

From Science Daily • Mar. 26, 2026

"You can see the exchange from a mile away. Do they think they're subtle?"

From "How It Went Down" by Kekla Magoon