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Antonyms for subtle

Grammar : Adj
Spell : suht-l
Phonetic Transcription : ˈsʌt l

Definition of subtle

Origin :
  • c.1300, sutel, soutil, in reference to things, "of thin consistency;" in reference to craftsmen, "skilled, clever," from Old French soutil, from Latin subtilis "fine, thin, delicate, finely woven," from sub "under" (see sub-) + -tilis, from tela "web" and texere "to weave" (see texture). The spelling with -b- reflects confusion with subtile. Most non-material senses were present by late 14c.
  • adj nice, quiet, delicate
  • adj clever, cunning
Example sentences :
  • He had breathed into the atmosphere a subtle malaria, and George had caught the disease.
  • Extract from : « Life in London » by Edwin Hodder
  • Then, he bethought himself of a subtle form of rebuke by emphasizing his generosity.
  • Extract from : « Within the Law » by Marvin Dana
  • The words were uttered with a subtle renunciation that was this man's religion.
  • Extract from : « Within the Law » by Marvin Dana
  • Joe was not subtle, not even clever; but he was a lover, and he knew the ways of love.
  • Extract from : « K » by Mary Roberts Rinehart
  • Though I felt a subtle and wondrous change, I could not trace or track the miracle.
  • Extract from : « The Bacillus of Beauty » by Harriet Stark
  • He had planned this sudden accusation with subtle forethought.
  • Extract from : « Thoroughbreds » by W. A. Fraser
  • Not a sound escaped them; the most subtle examination could not have told they breathed.
  • Extract from : « The Last of the Mohicans » by James Fenimore Cooper
  • The girl became aware also of other subtle changes in her father.
  • Extract from : « The Monster Men » by Edgar Rice Burroughs
  • "Thou art a subtle reasoner, my friend," said Ferdinand, smiling gently.
  • Extract from : « Leila, Complete » by Edward Bulwer-Lytton
  • It is the manner of communicating these diseases; it is the subtle way in which they go about.
  • Extract from : « Little Dorrit » by Charles Dickens

Synonyms for subtle

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019