nuance

noun

Definition of nuancenext
1
as in distinction
as in subtlety They studied every nuance conveyed in the painting.

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2
as in sensitivity
as in insight She had the nuance to express delicate feelings without being melodramatic.

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of nuance Austen uses most of these terms in her novels, so much nuance is lost without knowing their relative worth. — Literary Hub, 6 Oct. 2026 Yet the megawatt Cruise in our heads eclipses the nuance of his performances. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026 There is no substitute for the human connection, human thought, human nuance. — Charlotte Observer, 6 Oct. 2026 Each chapter ends with information about American Sign Language (ASL) — its beauty and its nuances. — The Know, Denver Post, 6 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for nuance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nuance
  1. distinction
  2. sensitivity
  3. subtlety
  4. insight
Noun
  • Richard seems to be drawing a distinction between representing a culture and living it.
    — Stephen Kearse, Pitchfork, 9 Oct. 2026
  • On an objective level, this is so close to n log n that the distinction almost doesn’t matter.
    — Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of distinction
Noun
  • Cultural sensitivities around Sherpas handling a dead body would also need to be respected, said Dawa.
    — Helen Regan, CNN Money, 10 Oct. 2026
  • In addition, insulin sensitivity — or how effectively the body responds to the hormone insulin — also generally decreases at night.
    — Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of sensitivity
Noun
  • The subtlety and the power of what Gilroy and his star achieve here should not be undersold.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Part of lilac’s staying power may also come from its subtlety.
    — Jennet Jusu, Allure, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of subtlety
Noun
  • Although only group tours are available, there's a free audio app, which gives insight into the collection.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Oct. 2026
  • The system has been evaluated through military exercises and training events and has supported operational use in Ukraine, providing BLADE with real-world insight into evolving unmanned ground requirements, according to a press release.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of insight

Browse Nearby Words

nth
nuance
nuanced
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Cite this Entry

“Nuance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nuance. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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