nuanced

/ˈnuˌɑnst/
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Showing small but important differences instead of treating something as simple.

Examples

  • Is the report nuanced enough to reflect regional differences?
  • The debate was not nuanced and reduced a difficult issue to two choices.
  • The actor gave a nuanced performance rather than playing the villain as purely evil.
  • After hearing the witnesses, he developed a more nuanced view of the dispute.
  • Her nuanced answer acknowledged both the benefits and the risks.

Similar words

complex
shaded
refined
layered
discerning
subtle

Meanings

Showing subtle differences

adjective
communication
neutral
Recognising or expressing small but important differences, details, or layers that make something more complex than a simple description suggests.

Examples

  • Her nuanced answer acknowledged both the benefits and the risks.
  • The actor gave a nuanced performance rather than playing the villain as purely evil.
  • Is the report nuanced enough to reflect regional differences?
  • The debate was not nuanced and reduced a difficult issue to two choices.
  • After hearing the witnesses, he developed a more nuanced view of the dispute.

Similar words

Etymology

Formed from nuance and -ed. English borrowed nuance from French, where it meant a shade of colour, and the adjective has been recorded since the late nineteenth century.

FAQ

What does nuanced mean?

Nuanced means showing small but important differences or layers of complexity.

Is nuanced usually positive?

Often, yes. Nuanced commonly praises thought, art, or judgment for avoiding an overly simple view.

What is the opposite of nuanced?

Simplistic, blunt, and one-dimensional can be opposites when something ignores important differences.

Can a person be nuanced?

Yes. A person can be nuanced in their thinking or portrayal when they recognise or display several sides of a subject.

Where does nuanced come from?

Nuanced is formed from nuance and -ed. Nuance came into English from a French word for a shade of colour.

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