Subtle
Subtle adjective - Clever at attaining one's ends by indirect and often deceptive means.
Usage example: used subtle methods of persuasion
Shrewd is a synonym for subtle in clever topic. In some cases you can use "Shrewd" instead an adjective "Subtle", when it comes to topics like behaviour, sly, cunning, astute.
Mutual synonyms
Cite this Source
Shrewd and Subtle. (2016). Retrieved 2026, August 16, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/subtle/shrewd
Subtle & Shrewd. N.p., 2016. Web. 16 Aug. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/subtle/shrewd>.
Shrewd or Subtle. 2016. Accessed August 16, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/subtle/shrewd.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "subtle" and "shrewd" have occurred on timeline