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to nuance

to nuance

1 7.2
To add small, careful changes to something to change its meaning or feeling
  • verb
  • /ˈnjuːɑːns/
translation icon : matizar
  • The author nuanced her characters' motivations, making them more relatable and realistic.

My favorite people nuance that line really close.

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Examples

  • A topic that is important but poorly framed could be sent back to the original poster for supplementation with more contextual information and links that would help nuance the discussion.

    Blog text (7)
  • All masks will soon come off, and then you will have to nuance this relationship based on your more up-to-date and accurate knowledge of the person.

    Blog text (23)
  • There is no need to nuance this; it really is as simple as that!

    Blog text (18)
  • Lots of people nuance their words in order to avoid giving offense, but we don't get nuance very well.

    Blog text (17)
  • In subsequent books, articles, and lectures, he develops and nuances these major themes and at times shifts emphasis.

    Academic text (1993)
  • This essay aims to nuance this portrayal by examining different kinds of mobility in the globalized world and the identities they create.

    Academic text (2008)
  • In his presentation, he expertly nuanced his arguments to highlight the complexities of the issue.

  • To nuance her response, she acknowledged the differing opinions before stating her own.

Synonyms

to differentiate
vsto nuance
71 4.4

To show or notice how things are different

give subtle distinctions rather than obvious or strong differences

Antonyms

41 4.2

To form a general idea from one or a few examples

Make something seem simpler than it really is so people get the wrong idea

How Subtle

to fine-tune
26 4.2
to nuance
1 7.2
to shade
10 3.9
to distinguish
177 3.1

Surface Forms

nuance infinitive
nuanced past
nuanced past participle
nuancing present participle
nuances third person singular

Etymology

Nuance as a verb comes from the same root, the Latin nubes 'cloud', and keeps the idea of a soft shade. So to nuance something is to add a small, careful difference or shade to it.