Advertisement
Advertisement
subtly
[suht-l-lee, suht-lee]
adverb
in a way that is so fine or delicate as to be difficult to perceive.
The vegetables tasted subtly of the grill, but each still held its own unique flavor.
in a way that shows or requires mental penetration or discernment.
In the press, comment and analysis must be subtly distinguished from news.
in a way that shows highly refined skill; cleverly or ingeniously.
He has developed his own style of playing the whistle and subtly incorporates features that evoke other traditional instruments.
in a wily or cunning way; craftily.
Under the guise of journalistic objectivity, news programs subtly play on our emotions—chiefly on our fears.
Other Word Forms
- nonsubtly adverb
- oversubtly adverb
- pseudosubtly adverb
- unsubtly adverb
Word History and Origins
Origin of subtly1
Example Sentences
"This occurs in a very rapid fashion. You can activate the macrophage and make the muscle twitch subtly almost immediately," Jankowski says.
In such asides, Capote subtly reveals how food leads to story, our narratives as nourishing as anything on our holiday plates.
If your child seems stuck in a friendship you're uneasy about, subtly expand their social world.
All this and more made its way subtly into Sid Caesar’s humor.
The infusion transforms the grain: delicate, fragrant, subtly flavored.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Browse
