variants
also low-keyed
as in subdued
not excessively showy
hoping to make a good impression, he deliberately chose a low-key tie with a subtle pattern
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of low-key
These pants are dressy enough to wear to the office, but low-key enough for weekend wear.
—
Genevieve Cepeda, Travel + Leisure, 22 Sep. 2025
Or, for a low-key evening lounging on the couch, team them with the matching cami.
—Brigitt Earley, Glamour, 22 Sep. 2025
The film’s overall low-key tenor downplays both moral judgment and conspicuous style, though neither are entirely lacking.
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 22 Sep. 2025
Ree revealed her low-key date night tradition with Ladd, 56, in a blog post on her website last month.
—Erin Clements, PEOPLE, 22 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for low-key
Genevieve Cepeda, Travel + Leisure, 22 Sep. 2025
Or, for a low-key evening lounging on the couch, team them with the matching cami.
—Brigitt Earley, Glamour, 22 Sep. 2025
The film’s overall low-key tenor downplays both moral judgment and conspicuous style, though neither are entirely lacking.
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 22 Sep. 2025
Ree revealed her low-key date night tradition with Ladd, 56, in a blog post on her website last month.
—Erin Clements, PEOPLE, 22 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for low-key
Recent Examples of Synonyms for low-key
Adjective
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Economists see an uptick in hiring, though still at a subdued level.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
28 Sep. 2025
-
Eventually the euphoria of the moment started giving way to subdued appreciation.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
27 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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There were few celebrities in attendance at Jil Sander — but that’s how the understated label and Bellotti both typically operate.—
Kati Chitrakorn,
CNN Money,
29 Sep. 2025
-
Stoic would be an understated way of describing his demeanor.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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In the after-hours, the black faille number styled with a silky lime-green tank top was at once restrained and opulent, just great for a night out.—
Sandra Salibian,
Footwear News,
29 Sep. 2025
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In practice, despite his rhetoric, Israel’s longest serving prime minister’s security policy was widely seen as cautious and relatively restrained, even derided as cowardly by political rivals, who also mocked his inability to make decisive moves.—
Tal Shalev,
CNN Money,
29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Peace Nest Linen Cotton Blend Duvet Cover Set For an effortless, earthy look, add this linen-blend duvet set to your bed that’s available in muted cream, gray, and pink.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
27 Sep. 2025
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Duff attended the Fendi Spring/Summer 2026 show on Tuesday, September 24, along with a number of other fashion-loving celebrities like Naomi Watts and Shailene Woodley, both of whom wore muted colors and barely-there nail polishes.—
Marci Robin,
Allure,
25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Primland’s founder, Didier Primat, built the resort as a retreat from everyday life—a place where guests could connect with the land and with each other in a setting that feels luxurious yet unpretentious.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
23 Sep. 2025
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The restaurant feels cozy and unpretentious, while the food is colorful and bright – some dishes are even served with edible flowers on top.—
Kathleen Wong,
USA Today,
23 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Don’t pull over in the roundabout Roundabouts with a single lane of traffic in each direction are fairly simple – yield to traffic in the roundabout, wait for a gap in traffic and go through, Bryson said.—
Eric D. Lawrence,
USA Today,
28 Sep. 2025
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This can be as simple as bodyweight movements, resistance bands or dumbbells, focusing on compound/functional movements like squats, pushes and pulls.—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
27 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Britani, who has been all too quiet this whole time, sees an opening to make it about her, and thank god for that.—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
1 Oct. 2025
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Tom Willander Willander had a quiet showing at prospect camp and training camp, then debuted with two sensational preseason performances against the Seattle Kraken and the Calgary Flames.—
Thomas Drance,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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This is a sister organization to the Heritage Foundation, the think tank behind Project 2025—a sweeping conservative policy blueprint aimed at reshaping the federal government by expanding presidential power, dismantling parts of the civil service, and rolling back regulations across agencies.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
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Those frequently violent protests in downtown Portland stretched on for more than 100 days and became a top target for conservative leaders who argued Democratic leaders of major cities were being too soft on criminals.—
Andy Rose,
CNN Money,
30 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Low-key.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/low-key. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
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