To subtly something is to do it in a way that doesn't cause too much attention or notice. When you subtly insult someone, you are saying negative things without actually saying them out loud.
She subtly insulted him by calling him lazy.
The restaurant subtly advertised its specialties by displaying a small sign next to the door.
ADV
in a subtle manner
1
It is clear, a chaos, subtle and diaphanous.
2
The narrator is observant and subtle, but skeptical.
3
The techniques involved are ingenious and subtle.
4
Why are you trying to be subtle
5
I think the subtle difference is in the function.
6
In fact, the difference between the two is subtle.
7
Some of the vandalism is especially insidious and subtle.
8
Contralto and alto have a subtle difference.
9
The difference between a wolf and a dog is subtle.
10
A more subtle undercurrent in Seascape is the idea of alienation.