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Definitions

subtly

[suht-l-lee, suht-lee] / ˈsʌt l li, ˈsʌt li /
ADVERB
delicately
Synonyms
STRONGEST
beautifully cautiously deftly elegantly exquisitely finely gracefully lightly sensitively skillfully softly tactfully
WEAK
daintily fastidiously precisely
Antonyms
WEAK
indelicately strongly uncarefully
ADVERB
lightly
Synonyms
STRONGEST
casually delicately easily faintly freely gingerly mildly moderately quietly simply slightly softly sparsely tenderly thinly
WEAK
agilely airily breezily carelessly daintily ethereally flippantly frivolously heedlessly indifferently leniently nimbly peacefully readily slightingly smoothly sparingly tenuously thoughtlessly timidly unsubstantially well
Antonyms
STRONGEST
difficultly roughly uncarefully
WEAK
effortfully heavily

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.

That does lead me to question whether she’s perhaps trying to subtly convince him that he should change his mind.

From Slate • Apr. 10, 2026

But when researchers subtly shifted what participants believed they were drinking, their experience changed.

From Science Daily • Apr. 9, 2026

Soon the whole crew begins to realize that everything is subtly different and that they are in danger, now hunted down by this world’s John Ward.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

Nicole Eun-Ju Bell’s video and projection designs subtly transpose the setting when, for instance, Umma meets up with her son at church.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 27, 2026

The Queen was subtly radiant as she listened.

From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White

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