EXQUISITE Synonyms: 183 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'exquisite' different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of exquisite are choice , dainty , delicate , elegant , and rare . While all these words mean "having qualities that appeal to a cultivated taste," exquisite implies a perfection in workmanship or design that appeals only to very sensitive taste. // an exquisite gold bracelet

Q: When could 'choice' be used to replace 'exquisite'?

While the synonyms choice and exquisite are close in meaning, choice stresses preeminence in quality or kind. // choice fabric

Q: When can 'dainty' be used instead of 'exquisite'?

Although the words dainty and exquisite have much in common, dainty sometimes carries an additional suggestion of smallness and of appeal to the eye or palate. // dainty sandwiches

Q: In what contexts can 'delicate' take the place of 'exquisite'?

The words delicate and exquisite are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, delicate implies exquisiteness, subtlety, and fragility. // delicate craftsmanship

Q: Where would 'elegant' be a reasonable alternative to 'exquisite'?

The synonyms elegant and exquisite are sometimes interchangeable, but elegant applies to what is rich and luxurious but restrained by good taste. // a sumptuous but elegant dining room

Q: When is 'rare' a more appropriate choice than 'exquisite'?

While in some cases nearly identical to exquisite , rare suggests an uncommon excellence. // rare beauty

exquisite 1 of 2

adjective

ek-ˈskwi-zət

Definition of exquisite

as in intense

extreme in degree, power, or effect felt such exquisite anger at being betrayed by a so-called friend that she could hardly think straight

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in elegant

having qualities that appeal to a refined taste exquisite pen-and-ink drawings of city scenes grace the walls of the formal restaurant

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in subtle

satisfying or pleasing because of fineness or mildness waiters at the wedding reception served exquisite hors d'oeuvres from silver trays

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

exquisite

2 of 2

noun

as in swell

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

slob
sloven

Synonym Chooser

How is the word exquisite different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of exquisite are choice, dainty, delicate, elegant, and rare. While all these words mean "having qualities that appeal to a cultivated taste," exquisite implies a perfection in workmanship or design that appeals only to very sensitive taste.

an exquisite gold bracelet

When could choice be used to replace exquisite?

While the synonyms choice and exquisite are close in meaning, choice stresses preeminence in quality or kind.

choice fabric

When can dainty be used instead of exquisite?

Although the words dainty and exquisite have much in common, dainty sometimes carries an additional suggestion of smallness and of appeal to the eye or palate.

dainty sandwiches

In what contexts can delicate take the place of exquisite?

The words delicate and exquisite are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, delicate implies exquisiteness, subtlety, and fragility.

delicate craftsmanship

Where would elegant be a reasonable alternative to exquisite?

The synonyms elegant and exquisite are sometimes interchangeable, but elegant applies to what is rich and luxurious but restrained by good taste.

a sumptuous but elegant dining room

When is rare a more appropriate choice than exquisite?

While in some cases nearly identical to exquisite, rare suggests an uncommon excellence.

rare beauty

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of exquisite

Adjective

Unlike the first one, though, this features an exquisite metal body and a more elegant design reminiscent of some top-end BlackBerry phones of yore. — New Atlas, 18 Aug. 2026 As wealthy merchants built holiday homes along Lake Como, and hoteliers followed, these local makers and more helped turn them into exquisite places to stay. — Ondine Cohane, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Aug. 2026

Noun

The roughly three-hour, 16-course menu at Sushi by SYC features exquisite takes on classics like Hamachi crudo, wagyu nigiri and live spot prawn. — Colin Wrenn, Denver Post, 23 Sep. 2025 This year, Carol Kane — the chimeric renaissance woman, eternal ingenue, muse to visionaries from Sidney Lumet to Cindy Sherman — rose from the rubble, a mirage made real, in Nathan Silver's exquisite Between the Temples. — Ew Staff, EW.com, 22 Nov. 2024 See All Example Sentences for exquisite

Recent Examples of Synonyms for exquisite

Adjective

Motion Applied brings experience from motorsport, where power electronics face rapid load changes and intense operating conditions.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 2 Sep. 2026
As if this weren’t enough for one day, Venus will also make its debut in the secretive and smoldering sign of Scorpio, where the love planet trades light-hearted flirtation for something deeper and way more intense.

— Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of intense

Adjective

Shop more outlet deals below, including an elegant candleholder, a luxe ottoman, and slim patio sofa.

— Better Homes & Gardens, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Sep. 2026
The Queen size bed feels huge, there's plenty of light, sumptuous extra seating and an overall elegant Georgian style feel.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of elegant

Adjective

Greenspan was renowned for his formidable data-crunching capabilities, sharp reading of market psychology, and subtle, often elusive communication style.

— , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
The cabin interiors are built from a lovely blonde wood, which was aesthetically pleasing, if a little creaky at times, while the white linens on the comfortable queen bed were a subtle reminder that this is a luxury accommodation.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of subtle

Adjective

Saylor Hayes, 5, who was the subject of an intensive search involving hundreds of people and multiple agencies, was found in South Carolina on Sunday.

— Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 3 Sep. 2026
Authorities point to the Golden State’s intensive regulatory environment as a factor.

— Joel Mathis, TheWeek, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of intensive

Adjective

On September 1, Claire Stoermer shared a rare childhood photo of her daughter to celebrate the milestone.

— Hannah Malach, InStyle, 2 Sep. 2026
If the event detected by this team was caused by the rare interaction between two WIMPs, this would tell scientists some things about these currently hypothetical particles.

— Robert Lea, Space.com, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of rare

Adjective

The only way to safely examine these delicate remains is through highly sensitive techniques like neutron imaging.

— Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 3 Sep. 2026
Although combining these delicate thin films usually causes damage and blocks light, special protection layers and modified electrodes overcome these assembly issues to maximize power output.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of delicate

Noun

Many of the blades made late in the war were rushed through production, and many slipped through that were too brittle or too soft.

— David Szondy August 30, New Atlas, 30 Aug. 2026
Single-crystal turbine blades remove the grain boundaries found inside ordinary metals.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of blade

Browse Nearby Words

expurgating

exquisite

exquisiteness

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“Exquisite.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exquisite. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of exquisite

adjective

noun

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