low-key

adjective

ˈlō-ˈkē How to pronounce low-key (audio)
variants also low-keyed
Definition of low-keynext
as in quiet
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

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 low-key Just over the state line, the neighboring cities of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama, make up a low-key destination boasting the same white sugar-sand beaches and spectacular outdoor space as the Florida panhandle—with significantly fewer crowds. — Molly O'Brien, Travel + Leisure, 25 June 2026 Swedish entrepreneur Bengt Mortstedt and his family have spent two decades imbuing the Bequia Beach Hotel with low-key luxury. — Sarah Turner, Robb Report, 25 June 2026 After spending much of her low-key childhood in the French village of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, Charlotte completed a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy from the Sorbonne, per Vanity Fair. — Staff Author, InStyle, 23 June 2026 Earlier in the episode, AJ and Josh, both of whom hate NYE, agree to combine their low-key plans and spend the evening together eating Chinese food and watching TV. — Olivia Singh, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for low-key
Recent Examples of Synonyms for low-key
  1. quiet
  2. muted
  3. subdued
  4. understated
  5. restrained
  6. conservative
  7. unpretentious
Adjective
  • My favorite way to spend an afternoon, though, was borrowing one of the hotel's bicycles and pedaling around South of Fifth, where quiet residential streets quickly give way to cafés, the marina, and the fun buzz of Ocean Drive.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 July 2026
  • For gardens, Shosei-en is a quiet surprise so close to Kyoto Station that most visitors walk right past it, a strolling garden of ponds, bridges, and teahouses that makes a perfect first or last stop in the city.
    — Shivani Vora, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
Definition of quiet
Adjective
  • Starbucks isn’t immune to those concerns, which is reflected in the stock’s more muted performance in recent months.
    — Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 30 July 2026
  • Those who adore Kurosawa’s unsettling earlier films may be thrown off by his new movie’s relatively muted approach.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2026
Definition of muted
Adjective
  • The singer’s fourth album inhabits a balmy medium zone of relentlessly moderate tempos and subdued vocals, where even brief moments of intriguing tension and fuzz get flattened into homogeneity.
    — Mitch Therieau, Pitchfork, 30 July 2026
  • Even slamming the door of the Mercedes is a subdued event with its soft-close doors.
    — Sasha Lekach, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
Definition of subdued
Adjective
  • The rooms Compared to the vibe in the hotel’s bars and lobby, the rooms are understated and calm with natural colors, herringbone floors, and high ceilings.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Aug. 2026
  • The Duchess of Sussex paired her polished bottoms with a tan, lightweight short-sleeve sweater and added an understated pop of color with purple suede loafers.
    — Kaitlin Clapinski, InStyle, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of understated
Adjective
  • There’s a smooth clarity to most of these songs, which grants different textures and dimensions to even Lyseight’s most restrained beats.
    — Dylan Green, Pitchfork, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Promotional stills, tour visuals and social content have followed the same restrained palette of black, white and grey, with color largely absent from official imagery.
    — Olivia Shalhoup, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of restrained
Adjective
  • Hosted by Kennedy himself, The Real Food Showfollows the controversial conservative politician on a culinary expedition across the country.
    — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 31 July 2026
  • Many of those nonprofits are tied to conservative political organizations.
    — Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026
Definition of conservative
Adjective
  • The downtown store regularly hosts Japanese tailors for trunk shows, and its unpretentious staff warmly guides customers through suits from a house line made by Ring Jacket.
    — New York Times, New York Times, 31 July 2026
  • Few places exemplify the town’s unpretentious charm better than Gilhooley’s Restaurant and Oyster Bar.
    — Gabi De la Rosa, Southern Living, 29 July 2026
Definition of unpretentious

Browse Nearby Words

low-grade
low-key
lowland
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Low-key.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/low-key. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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