Subtilize

verb

verb ·Uncommon ·Advanced level

Definitions

Verb
  1. 1
    To make subtle; to make thin or fine; to make less gross or coarse. transitive
  2. 2
    make (senses) more keen wordnet
  3. 3
    To refine; to spin into niceties. transitive

    "to subtilize arguments"

  4. 4
    make more subtle or refined wordnet
  5. 5
    To use subtle arguments or distinctions. intransitive
Show 1 more definition
  1. 6
    mark fine distinctions and subtleties, as among words wordnet

Synonyms

All synonyms
rarefyadulterateanalyzeattenuatecontradistinguishcut

Example

More examples

"Nor as yet have we subtilized ourselves into savages."

Etymology

From French subtiliser; equivalent to subtle + -ize.

More for "subtilize"

SynonymsSentencesPronunciationTranslate

Next best steps

Find stronger synonymsSee usage examplesCheck pronunciationBrowse writing guides

Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.