The crossword clue "Subtle criticism" can be found in the Universal Crossword puzzle from January 21, 2022. We've gathered 57 possible solutions from our database of crossword answers spanning multiple publications. The top match is SHADE (5 letters) at 99% confidence — our strongest recommendation for this clue.
Answer For Subtle criticism:
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57 Other Potential Answers
Rank
Answer
Length
Source
Date
99%
SHADE
Subtle criticism
(5)
Universal Crossword
Jan 21, 2022
99%
SHADE
Subtle criticism
Universal Crossword · Jan 21, 2022
8%
SACREDCOW
Something above criticism
(9)
Universal Crossword
Apr 18, 2026
8%
SACREDCOW
Something above criticism
Universal Crossword · Apr 18, 2026
8%
OPENSEASON
Period of unchecked criticism
(10)
LA Times Daily Crossword
Jan 31, 2026
8%
OPENSEASON
Period of unchecked criticism
LA Times Daily Crossword · Jan 31, 2026
8%
NIT
Small criticism
(3)
Universal Crossword
Dec 16, 2025
8%
NIT
Small criticism
Universal Crossword · Dec 16, 2025
8%
ART
Subject of some criticism
(3)
Universal Crossword
Sep 21, 2025
8%
ART
Subject of some criticism
Universal Crossword · Sep 21, 2025
8%
PILE
___ on (join in criticism)
(4)
Universal Crossword
Sep 12, 2025
8%
PILE
___ on (join in criticism)
Universal Crossword · Sep 12, 2025
8%
HATERSGONNAHATE
Mantra in the face of criticism
(15)
Universal Crossword
Apr 26, 2025
8%
HATERSGONNAHATE
Mantra in the face of criticism
Universal Crossword · Apr 26, 2025
8%
LOWBLOW
Unfair criticism
(7)
Thomas Joseph Crossword
Apr 17, 2025
8%
LOWBLOW
Unfair criticism
Thomas Joseph Crossword · Apr 17, 2025
8%
THROWINGJADE
Delivering a snarky, subtle insult, to a jeweler?
(12)
Premier Sunday Crossword
Mar 23, 2025
8%
THROWINGJADE
Delivering a snarky, subtle insult, to a jeweler?
Premier Sunday Crossword · Mar 23, 2025
8%
VALID
Like a fair criticism
(5)
Universal Crossword
Dec 14, 2024
8%
VALID
Like a fair criticism
Universal Crossword · Dec 14, 2024
8%
PILESON
Supplies additional criticism
(7)
LA Times Daily Crossword
Oct 27, 2024
8%
PILESON
Supplies additional criticism
LA Times Daily Crossword · Oct 27, 2024
8%
FLAK
Harsh criticism
(4)
Universal Crossword
Sep 28, 2024
8%
FLAK
Harsh criticism
Universal Crossword · Sep 28, 2024
8%
ONIT
*Minor criticism
(4)
Universal Crossword
Sep 6, 2024
8%
ONIT
*Minor criticism
Universal Crossword · Sep 6, 2024
8%
VITRIOL
Cruel, bitter criticism
(7)
Premier Sunday Crossword
Jul 14, 2024
8%
VITRIOL
Cruel, bitter criticism
Premier Sunday Crossword · Jul 14, 2024
8%
INPUT
Constructive criticism, say
(5)
Universal Crossword
Apr 16, 2024
8%
INPUT
Constructive criticism, say
Universal Crossword · Apr 16, 2024
8%
SLY
Artfully subtle
(3)
Universal Crossword
Mar 31, 2024
8%
SLY
Artfully subtle
Universal Crossword · Mar 31, 2024
8%
DRAWSFIRE
Attracts criticism
(9)
Eugene Sheffer Crossword
Jan 16, 2024
8%
DRAWSFIRE
Attracts criticism
Eugene Sheffer Crossword · Jan 16, 2024
8%
OVERT
Not subtle
(5)
LA Times Daily Crossword
Jan 6, 2024
8%
OVERT
Not subtle
LA Times Daily Crossword · Jan 6, 2024
8%
OPEN
___ to criticism
(4)
Universal Crossword
Oct 31, 2023
8%
OPEN
___ to criticism
Universal Crossword · Oct 31, 2023
8%
THINSKIN
Hypersensitivity to criticism
(8)
Universal Crossword
Jul 7, 2023
8%
THINSKIN
Hypersensitivity to criticism
Universal Crossword · Jul 7, 2023
8%
PILESITON
Goes overboard with criticism
(9)
Universal Crossword
Jun 3, 2023
8%
PILESITON
Goes overboard with criticism
Universal Crossword · Jun 3, 2023
8%
SACROSANCT
Immune from criticism
(10)
LA Times Daily Crossword
May 15, 2023
8%
SACROSANCT
Immune from criticism
LA Times Daily Crossword · May 15, 2023
8%
JEZEBEL
Website known for feminist cultural criticism
(7)
LA Times Daily Crossword
Apr 2, 2023
8%
JEZEBEL
Website known for feminist cultural criticism
LA Times Daily Crossword · Apr 2, 2023
8%
WELLEXCUSEME
Snarky response to criticism
(12)
LA Times Daily Crossword
Mar 26, 2023
8%
WELLEXCUSEME
Snarky response to criticism
LA Times Daily Crossword · Mar 26, 2023
8%
FINER
More subtle, as a point
(5)
Premier Sunday Crossword
Jan 22, 2023
8%
FINER
More subtle, as a point
Premier Sunday Crossword · Jan 22, 2023
8%
AGREETODISAGREEK
Go along with harsh criticism of an ancient Athenian?
(16)
LA Times Daily Crossword
Dec 18, 2022
8%
AGREETODISAGREEK
Go along with harsh criticism of an ancient Athenian?
LA Times Daily Crossword · Dec 18, 2022
8%
PILEON
Join in the criticism
(6)
Universal Crossword
Sep 15, 2022
8%
PILEON
Join in the criticism
Universal Crossword · Sep 15, 2022
8%
THROWSHADE
Snarky criticism about an afghan?
(10)
Universal Crossword
Jul 14, 2022
8%
THROWSHADE
Snarky criticism about an afghan?
Universal Crossword · Jul 14, 2022
8%
TOOOBVIOUS
"Surely that could be more subtle!"
(10)
Universal Crossword
Jun 12, 2022
8%
TOOOBVIOUS
"Surely that could be more subtle!"
Universal Crossword · Jun 12, 2022
8%
DEAFTO
Unwilling to hear, as criticism
(6)
LA Times Daily Crossword
Mar 21, 2022
8%
DEAFTO
Unwilling to hear, as criticism
LA Times Daily Crossword · Mar 21, 2022
8%
EMOTES
Isn't subtle, in a way
(6)
LA Times Daily Crossword
Dec 18, 2021
8%
EMOTES
Isn't subtle, in a way
LA Times Daily Crossword · Dec 18, 2021
8%
DRAWFIRE
Attract criticism
(8)
Eugene Sheffer Crossword
Dec 8, 2021
8%
DRAWFIRE
Attract criticism
Eugene Sheffer Crossword · Dec 8, 2021
8%
HELL
Severe criticism
(4)
LA Times Daily Crossword
Oct 19, 2021
8%
HELL
Severe criticism
LA Times Daily Crossword · Oct 19, 2021
8%
SECONDGUESS
Many a sports fan's criticism
(11)
LA Times Daily Crossword
Oct 2, 2021
8%
SECONDGUESS
Many a sports fan's criticism
LA Times Daily Crossword · Oct 2, 2021
8%
POTSHOT
Random criticism
(7)
LA Times Daily Crossword
Jul 5, 2021
8%
POTSHOT
Random criticism
LA Times Daily Crossword · Jul 5, 2021
8%
HATERADE
"Drink" for those with a thirst for criticism
(8)
Universal Crossword
Dec 15, 2020
8%
HATERADE
"Drink" for those with a thirst for criticism
Universal Crossword · Dec 15, 2020
8%
BLATANT
Far from subtle
(7)
Thomas Joseph Crossword
Dec 11, 2020
8%
BLATANT
Far from subtle
Thomas Joseph Crossword · Dec 11, 2020
8%
STUNG
Was hurtful, like criticism
(5)
Universal Crossword
Dec 1, 2020
8%
STUNG
Was hurtful, like criticism
Universal Crossword · Dec 1, 2020
8%
HOLDINGWATER
Standing up to criticism
(12)
LA Times Daily Crossword
May 30, 2020
8%
HOLDINGWATER
Standing up to criticism
LA Times Daily Crossword · May 30, 2020
8%
GRIEF
Playful criticism
(5)
LA Times Daily Crossword
May 28, 2020
8%
GRIEF
Playful criticism
LA Times Daily Crossword · May 28, 2020
8%
DISHITOUT
*Pour on the criticism
(9)
LA Times Daily Crossword
Apr 14, 2020
8%
DISHITOUT
*Pour on the criticism
LA Times Daily Crossword · Apr 14, 2020
8%
ACERB
Biting, as criticism
(5)
LA Times Daily Crossword
Nov 19, 2019
8%
ACERB
Biting, as criticism
LA Times Daily Crossword · Nov 19, 2019
8%
HARSH
Tough to hear, as criticism
(5)
LA Times Daily Crossword
May 17, 2019
8%
HARSH
Tough to hear, as criticism
LA Times Daily Crossword · May 17, 2019
8%
COMEUNDERFIRE
Be subjected to criticism
(13)
Thomas Joseph Crossword
Mar 1, 2019
8%
COMEUNDERFIRE
Be subjected to criticism
Thomas Joseph Crossword · Mar 1, 2019
8%
STATIC
Harsh criticism
(6)
LA Times Daily Crossword
Dec 12, 2018
8%
STATIC
Harsh criticism
LA Times Daily Crossword · Dec 12, 2018
8%
EBERT
1975 Pulitzer winner for criticism
(5)
LA Times Daily Crossword
Apr 6, 2018
8%
EBERT
1975 Pulitzer winner for criticism
LA Times Daily Crossword · Apr 6, 2018
1%
NITS
Minor criticisms
(4)
Universal Crossword
Sep 7, 2025
1%
NITS
Minor criticisms
Universal Crossword · Sep 7, 2025
1%
HINTHINT
Not-so-subtle verbal suggestion
(8)
Universal Crossword
May 25, 2025
1%
HINTHINT
Not-so-subtle verbal suggestion
Universal Crossword · May 25, 2025
1%
NUANCED
Full of subtlety
(7)
Premier Sunday Crossword
Jun 30, 2024
1%
NUANCED
Full of subtlety
Premier Sunday Crossword · Jun 30, 2024
1%
HAMS
Unsubtle actors
(4)
LA Times Daily Crossword
Apr 25, 2023
1%
HAMS
Unsubtle actors
LA Times Daily Crossword · Apr 25, 2023
1%
HAM
Unsubtle actor
(3)
Universal Crossword
Dec 19, 2022
1%
HAM
Unsubtle actor
Universal Crossword · Dec 19, 2022
1%
POTSHOTS
Cheap criticisms
(8)
Thomas Joseph Crossword
Nov 2, 2022
1%
POTSHOTS
Cheap criticisms
Thomas Joseph Crossword · Nov 2, 2022
1%
QUIBBLES
Slight criticisms
(8)
Eugene Sheffer Crossword
Aug 24, 2022
1%
QUIBBLES
Slight criticisms
Eugene Sheffer Crossword · Aug 24, 2022
1%
MALEGAZE
Feminist film-criticism subject
(8)
LA Times Daily Crossword
Jan 9, 2022
1%
MALEGAZE
Feminist film-criticism subject
LA Times Daily Crossword · Jan 9, 2022
1%
HEAVYHAND
*Lack of subtlety
(9)
LA Times Daily Crossword
Jul 13, 2020
1%
HEAVYHAND
*Lack of subtlety
LA Times Daily Crossword · Jul 13, 2020
1%
TINT
Decorator's subtlety
(4)
LA Times Daily Crossword
Dec 21, 2019
1%
TINT
Decorator's subtlety
LA Times Daily Crossword · Dec 21, 2019
1%
BLATANTLY
Without subtlety
(9)
Universal Crossword
Nov 14, 2019
1%
BLATANTLY
Without subtlety
Universal Crossword · Nov 14, 2019
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many possible solutions does "Subtle criticism" have?
We found 1 exact solution and 57 total potential answers including similar clues. The most likely answer is SHADE (5 letters).
What is the best answer for "Subtle criticism"?
The best answer for "Subtle criticism" is SHADE with 5 letters.
This answer has a 99% confidence rating based on our database of crossword solutions.
Where has "Subtle criticism" been used as a crossword clue?
This clue has appeared 1 time in our database.
It has been featured in Universal Crossword.
It was last seen in the Universal Crossword on January 21, 2022.