muted

adjective

mut·​ed ˈmyü-təd 

1

a

: being mute : silent

b

: toned down : low-key, subdued

muted colors

muted voices

a muted response

2

: provided with or produced or modified by the use of a mute

mutedly adverb

Synonyms of muted

• quieted
• silent
• quiet
• hushed

Examples of muted in a Sentence

The artist chose colors that are dark and muted.

the muted sound of a distant trumpet

The government chose a more muted response to the threat.

Their proposal has drawn a muted reaction from most observers.

Recent Examples on the Web

Vinícius Júnior, Brazil’s rising star, remained muted on the right-hand side. — Doha Madani, NBC news, 5 July 2026

Pair it with pale blues and garden greens to double up on muted hues, or embrace the cinnamon hue and layer it with earth tones. — Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 1 July 2026

Her bronzed makeup look consisted of taupe eyeshadow, black eyeliner, rosy cheeks, and a muted matte lip. — Hannah Malach, InStyle, 3 July 2026

Still, compared with those of other diasporas, gatherings to back the Iranian team have seemed smaller and more muted. — Jesus Jiménez, New York Times, 30 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1855, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for muted

• booted
• fluted
• fruited
• hooted
• looted
• mooted
• rooted
• routed
• scooted
• suited
• commuted
• computed