How to Use subtle in a Sentence

subtle

adjective

• She has a subtle mind.
• It was her subtle way of telling me to mind my own business.
• He didn't seem to understand my subtle hints.
• When it comes to giving criticism, sometimes it's best to take a subtle approach.
• Racial discrimination still exists, only now it's subtler than it once was.
• The old-school vinyl theme is a subtle nod to that piece of the past.
  — Nikki Delamotte, cleveland.com, 7 May 2018
• In the bowl, the cabbage is tangy, with a subtle hint of fruit.
  — Janelle Bitker, SFChronicle.com, 3 June 2020
• The film isn’t subtle about the blatant sexism of the era.
  — Rodney Ho, ajc, 23 Aug. 2021
• Even in subtle ways that don’t show up in the box score.
  — Chris Biderman, Sacramento Bee, 1 Feb. 2024
• The heat in the dish is slow, and subtle, gently taking the nip out of the air.
  — Mara Severin, Anchorage Daily News, 25 Feb. 2021
• None of it is subtle, and not all of it makes much sense.
  — Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Jan. 2022
• Mix and match the pieces with solids for a more subtle effect.
  — Caitlin King, The Seattle Times, 1 Oct. 2018
• Check out the subtle shades that are fit for a Queen (and princess) below.
  — Caroline Hallemann, Town & Country, 30 Oct. 2017
• Who masters the angles and subtle skills that tip the scales?
  — Bryce Miller, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Jan. 2024
• One thing that fans have latched on to are the not-so-subtle hints that Will might be gay.
  — Lauren Huff, EW.com, 3 June 2022
• The smell is subtle but not too faint to be used by itself.
  — Tatum Dooley, Teen Vogue, 22 Aug. 2019
• Those guys are crazy and the soccer guys are more subtle.
  — Steve Millar, chicagotribune.com, 13 Sep. 2021
• But some people have ties to the Hoosier state that are more subtle.
  — Rashika Jaipuriar, The Indianapolis Star, 20 July 2021
• Still, the not-so-subtle wish for a rock hard chest and bulging biceps to match sit in the back of the brain for many.
  — Lara Rosenbaum, Men's Health, 25 Jan. 2023
• Well, for me, the anger and the rage and the self-destructiveness was very subtle.
  — Los Angeles Times, 17 Aug. 2022
• The gorgeous white gold piece is subtle but packs a punch, too.
  — Katherine J Igoe, Marie Claire, 17 Jan. 2020
• The remarks were a none-too-subtle way of telling the trainee that he should get used to putting down dogs.
  — Ali Winston, Rolling Stone, 9 Jan. 2023
• The grits were creamy, but not soupy and packed with flavor while still subtle.
  — Worth Sparkman, Axios, 16 Sep. 2024
• But the ways in which wildlife suffer at our hands can be far subtler.
  — Katherine J. Wu, Smithsonian, 9 July 2018
• The changes are subtle, but make the car look sleeker and smoother than before.
  — Peter Valdes-Dapena, CNN, 3 Dec. 2019
• The moon will appear darker, but the changes are subtle.
  — Meg Jones, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 9 Jan. 2020
• The flavor is great, too — buttery with a subtle hint of yeast.
  — Michael Russell, oregonlive, 13 Nov. 2019
• Things in the real world are a little more subtle than that.
  — Norman Vanamee, Town & Country, 11 July 2021
• The size of a hydrocele can vary greatly, with the swelling being overt in some people and subtle in others.
  — Josephine Hessert, Verywell Health, 1 Dec. 2024
• Over the past few weeks, A-listers have stepped out in refined looks that are timeless and subtle—yet totally modern in feel.
  — Christian Allaire, Vogue, 1 Dec. 2024

Last Updated: 17 Dec 2024