Subtle
mediumSUH-tul
adjective
Definition
delicately complex, faint, or not obvious
Examples
“There was a subtle shift in her tone that only close friends would notice.”
“The wine has a subtle hint of oak beneath its fruit.”
Synonyms
nuanceddelicateunderstatedfaint
Antonyms
Categories
GRE Tip
Subtle is a medium-difficulty GRE word. On the GRE, you might see it paired with synonyms like "nuanced" or "delicate" in Sentence Equivalence questions. Look for contrast clues (however, despite, although) that signal the opposite meaning. Words like "obvious".
Related GRE Words
vacuous
empty of meaning, intelligence, or substance
vapid
dull, flat, and lacking liveliness or interest
convoluted
extremely complex and intricate; hard to follow
eclectic
drawing from a diverse range of sources or styles
fragile
Easily broken or damaged; delicate
ruminate
to think deeply and at length; to ponder
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