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Subtle vs Supple - What's the difference?

subtle | supple |

As adjectives the difference between subtle and supple

is that subtle is hard to grasp; not obvious or easily understood; barely noticeable while supple is pliant, flexible, easy to bend.

As a verb supple is

to make or become supple.

subtle

English

Alternative forms

* subtil (obsolete) * subtile (obsolete)

Adjective

(er)
  • Hard to grasp; not obvious or easily understood; barely noticeable.
    • The difference is subtle , but you can hear it if you listen carefully.
  • (of a thing) Cleverly contrived.
  • (of a person or animal) Cunning, skillful.
  • insidious
  • * 1623 , , act iv, scene 4,
    • Thy age confirmed, proud, subtle , bloody, treacherous.
  • Tenuous; rarefied; of low density or thin consistency.

    • Synonyms

    * crafty, cunning, skillful * (insidious) insidious

    Antonyms

    * (hard to grasp) simple

    Derived terms

    * subtle body * subtleness * subtlety * subtly

    References

    * * *

    Anagrams

    * * * *

    supple

    English

    Adjective

    (er)
  • pliant, flexible, easy to bend
  • lithe and agile when moving and bending
    • supple''' joints; '''supple fingers
  • compliant; yielding to the will of others
    • a supple horse
  • * John Locke
    • If punishment makes not the will supple , it hardens the offender.

    Verb

  • To make or become supple.
  • * Dryden
    • The stones suppled into softness as they fell.
  • * Spenser
    • The flesh therewith she suppled and did steep.
  • To make compliant, submissive, or obedient.
  • * John Locke
    • a mother persisting till she had bent her daughter's mind and suppled her will
  • * Barrow
    • They should supple our stiff willfulness.