subtle

Definitions

So delicate or precise as to be difficult to analyze or describe.

Making use of clever and indirect methods to achieve something.

Characterized by faint, understated, or muted qualities.

Examples

There was a subtle hint of cinnamon in the apple pie.

She made a subtle change to her hairstyle that only her closest friends noticed.

The film uses subtle humor to address very serious social issues.

Synonyms

faint delicate understated nuanced refined insidious indirect

Antonyms

obvious blatant explicit pronounced conspicuous direct harsh