as in muted
not excessively showy
after such a heated argument, it was a relief to hear someone use toned-down language to state their position
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Recent Examples of toned-down
Laurie Brookins, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Its colorful striped pattern is toned-down ever so slightly by a pair of fashion flip-flops from Massimo Dutti and Haight’s chestnut-colored swimsuit.
—Laura Jackson, Vogue, 4 July 2024
For her, that meant toned-down, muted pinks and mauve desert tones.
—Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Mar. 2024
Adjective
Perhaps another reason is that, with the exception of a few suits, men’s looks at the Grammys largely were underwhelming, and that may have also been the result of wanting to look more toned-down out of respect for victims of the wildfires.
—Laurie Brookins, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Its colorful striped pattern is toned-down ever so slightly by a pair of fashion flip-flops from Massimo Dutti and Haight’s chestnut-colored swimsuit.
—Laura Jackson, Vogue, 4 July 2024
For her, that meant toned-down, muted pinks and mauve desert tones.
—Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Mar. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for toned-down
Adjective
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The 94 rooms and suites have been reimagined with muted colors inspired by the soft hues of the property’s garden and the building’s historic architecture.—
Laura Itzkowitz,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Apr. 2025
-
The Pacific Ocean subtly makes its way into the decor of the 167 guest rooms and suites, where rugs and table lamps in muted greens and turquoise evoke kelp forests, and fluffy robes feature green seashell prints.—
Jennifer Flowers,
AFAR Media,
3 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Fans who attended Monday’s contest noticed a subdued scene.—
The Athletic NBA Staff,
The Athletic,
13 Jan. 2025
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The Assad regime, decades in power and long propped up by Russian jets and Iranian proxies, appears to have collapsed not with the thunder of artillery but with a subdued whisper.—
Guney Yildiz,
Forbes,
8 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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And in a culture that often asks women to go faster, do more, and present themselves perfectly, the act of cooking something small and lovely—just because—is its own quiet form of resistance.—
Stephanie Gravalese,
Forbes.com,
15 Apr. 2025
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Today By Paulina Berges Nestled within Okazaki on a quiet residential road, Shinsho-an feels more like a private home than a hotel.—
Christina Liao,
Vogue,
15 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Clean lines, streamlined silhouettes, and restrained details result in impactful simplicity, which is exactly what a minimalist bride aspires for.—
Sarah Zendejas,
Vogue,
6 Apr. 2025
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Frank and vulnerable, her restrained vocal performance is the perfect pairing for Sundae Beats’ lush, ethereal soundscape.—
Christopher Claxton,
Billboard,
31 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Additional offerings at the store include design services for personalized charm bracelets and necklaces, in-store soldering of heirloom pieces, and wedding ring consultations with designs that reflect Catbird’s understated and distinct point of view.—
Brin Snelling,
Forbes.com,
11 Apr. 2025
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Rather than a super stark white (which may seem unnaturally light on your waterline), the creamy shade is more understated, giving the appearance of large doe eyes.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
1 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The final amount could be affected by two factors — the number of claims and how much of the settlement fund is reduced to cover legal fees and costs.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
3 Jan. 2025
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Liver damage can be reduced if the person stops drinking.—
George Petras,
USA TODAY,
3 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The former president returned to his private home on Friday from the official residence, with crowds of conservative supporters turning out to greet his motorcade.—
Joyce Lee,
USA Today,
14 Apr. 2025
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González, 47, held various government jobs during the presidency of Rafael Correa, who led Ecuador from 2007 through 2017 with free-spending socially conservative policies and grew increasingly authoritarian in his last years as president.—
Regina Garcia Cano,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Lepers’s case study offers a test of whether the same is true in your 50s, or whether the body’s adaptive potential is so blunted that some of the losses become permanent.—
Alex Hutchinson,
Outside Online,
23 Dec. 2024
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On a third day, exercising afterwards blunted my Lingo Count by a few points.—
Meg Tirrell,
CNN,
29 Nov. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Toned-down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toned-down. Accessed 20 Apr. 2025.
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