1
as in subtle
satisfying or pleasing because of fineness or mildness
a heavy sauce would spoil the delicate flavor of this fish
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sensitive
able to sense slight impressions or differences
only a person with delicate taste buds could tell the difference between these two wines
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3
as in virtuoso
accomplished with trained ability
the delicate handling of a difficult diplomatic situation
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4
as in fragile
easily broken
delicate glassware that must be carefully wrapped for shipping
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5
as in frail
easily injured without careful handling
the delicate ecosystem of the wetlands
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6
as in careful
hard to please
a person of delicate tastes
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7
as in elegant
having qualities that appeal to a refined taste
delicate perfumes that only a connoisseur of scents would appreciate
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8
as in weak
lacking bodily strength
a delicate child who was never allowed to play sports
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9
as in nice
made or done with extreme care and accuracy
delicate measurements of brain tumors that are only possible using the latest medical technology
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10
as in accurate
meeting the highest standard of accuracy
extremely delicate instruments such as an atomic clock
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11
as in gentle
not harsh or stern especially in nature or effect
a delicate breeze was floating in from the open window
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12
as in difficult
requiring exceptional skill or caution in performance or handling
the delicate challenge of inviting two people who don't like each other to the same party
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of delicate
Whether powered by retinol or antioxidant-rich botanicals, each formula firms and smooths the delicate eye area—while calming agents like centella asiatica and panthenol help prevent irritation.
—
Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 11 July 2025
Ceylon cinnamon is the sweeter, more delicate and more expensive version of the spice, but cassia cinnamon is more popular.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 11 July 2025
In a delicate approach to pay tribute to the culmination of creative director Demna’s work, Kardashian donned a hyper-feminine aesthetic with a short, side-part bob.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 9 July 2025
Guests can pick up housemade breads, rotisserie chicken, and delicate pastries made in partnership with Healdsburg’s Quail & Condor.
—Keyla Vasconcellos, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for delicate
Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 11 July 2025
Ceylon cinnamon is the sweeter, more delicate and more expensive version of the spice, but cassia cinnamon is more popular.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 11 July 2025
In a delicate approach to pay tribute to the culmination of creative director Demna’s work, Kardashian donned a hyper-feminine aesthetic with a short, side-part bob.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 9 July 2025
Guests can pick up housemade breads, rotisserie chicken, and delicate pastries made in partnership with Healdsburg’s Quail & Condor.
—Keyla Vasconcellos, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for delicate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for delicate
Adjective
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The combination adds layers of flavor and a subtle edge, giving the salsa the same flavor profile as a spicy version without any burn.—
Gabi De la Rosa,
Southern Living,
24 July 2025
-
The wine exhibits a delicate mousse featuring citrus-lime zest, layered with brioche, pear, and subtle minerality.—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes.com,
24 July 2025
Adjective
-
In Cisco’s 2025 Data Privacy Benchmark, 64% of global respondents worry about inadvertently exposing sensitive information through AI tools, even as nearly half admit to feeding personal data into them.—
Boris Dzhingarov,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
-
And new privacy legislation in Senate Bill 1295 requires collectors of sensitive data to notify consumers if their personal data is being used to train large language models.—
Angela Eichhorst,
Hartford Courant,
15 July 2025
Adjective
-
During the chandelier's cleaning process, the office said workers wear gloves to minimize human contact and ensure its integrity is not jeopardized because it is made up of soft and fragile materials.—
Keelin Fisher,
Arkansas Online,
21 July 2025
-
Real grasscloth wallpaper, made from natural fibers like jute or seagrass, is extremely fragile and sensitive to moisture, paste, and pressure.—
Lauren Bengtson,
Better Homes & Gardens,
19 July 2025
Adjective
-
However, realizing these benefits demands careful tool selection, integration, oversight and governance.—
John Arsneault,
Forbes.com,
25 July 2025
-
Both pranking and writing are exercises in careful observation.—
Katie Yee
July 25,
Literary Hub,
25 July 2025
Adjective
-
Baden-Baden Nestled alongside Germany's southwestern Black Forest, Baden-Baden is an elegant town that has been attracting wellness lovers since the Roman times.—
Sofia Markovich,
Travel + Leisure,
24 July 2025
-
Complementing the accommodations and A-list automobiles are the property’s elegant Espelette restaurant and bar, the 5,000-square-foot La Prairie Spa, a pool with panoramic city views, and the rarefied Rooftop culinary experience.—
Viju Mathew,
Robb Report,
24 July 2025
Adjective
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Those weak harvests, in turn, are due to drought and high temperatures and more generally climate change, which has negatively impacted coffee harvests for several years.—
Jaclyn Diaz,
NPR,
21 July 2025
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It is considered a serious condition and can be dangerous or life-threatening, especially to older adults, people with weak immune systems, and pregnant women.—
Saman Shafiq,
USA Today,
21 July 2025
Adjective
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The units also vary in shape: the cube is nice for nightstands, while the wider grand size works well on large dressers.—
Jamie Fischer,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 July 2025
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And, the embroidery on the pillowcases adds a nice touch.—
Shalwah Evans,
People.com,
14 July 2025
Adjective
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What other sources would a historian use to double-check that this document is accurate?—
The Editors,
JSTOR Daily,
15 July 2025
-
Even with label checks, the actual caffeine content may not always be accurate, Wick added.—
Stephanie Brown,
Verywell Health,
15 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Delicate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/delicate. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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