subtly

[ suht-l-lee, suht-lee ]

/ ˈsʌt l li, ˈsʌt li /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR subtly ON THESAURUS.COM

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.

Origin of subtly

subt(le) + -ly

OTHER WORDS FROM subtly

non·sub·tly, adverbo·ver·sub·tly, adverbpseu·do·sub·tly, adverbun·sub·tly, adverb

Words nearby subtly

subtilize, subtilty, subtitle, subtle, subtlety, subtly, subtonic, subtopia, subtopic, subtorrid, subtotal

Example sentences from the Web for subtly

He subtly gestured toward the direction of the camera pointed at their house.
The Life and Hard Times Of The Family A Cuban Defector Left Behind|Brin-Jonathan Butler|December 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
If there were ever a Chinese company that could subtly suggest a few changes in Chinese policy, Alibaba would be it.
Alibaba’s Dark Side: Censoring Customers|Brendon Hong|November 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But with the 2016 presidential season on the horizon, the Texas firebrand has subtly changed his tune over the last six months.
Ted Cruz Quits Screwing With the GOP|Patricia Murphy|October 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In an effort to cope with the implications of this question, Americans have subtly but sweepingly shifted their ideals.
How Young People Are Destroying Liberty|James Poulos|October 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Once a day, she says, a shuttle bus took them into town, dropping them not so subtly near the train station.
Italy's Latest Export Is Refugees, and the Rest of Europe Is Not Happy|Barbie Latza Nadeau|August 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
That was the reason of the subtly appealing look which had puzzled her from her first meeting with this man!
Lady Cassandra|Mrs George de Horne Vaizey
Beth subtly conveyed the impression that on the contrary she thought it was dreadful.
The Fighting Shepherdess |Caroline Lockhart
Every shift and twist is subtly adapted to his audience of Churchmen, and the gradation of his pleading no less subtly contrived.
An Introduction to the Study of Browning|Arthur Symons
How subtly he proclaimed what she might expect in the future!
The Salamander|Owen Johnson
The Princess had a peculiar pleasure in learning such things and would often subtly misapply them in order to be corrected.
Patsy|S. R. Crockett