Definition of understated
: avoiding obvious emphasis or embellishment understated elegance
understatedly
adverbExamples of understated in a Sentence
the actor's understated interpretation of the lead role is surprisingly compelling
Recent Examples of understated from the Web
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Studying their clothes is a chance to discover whose understated ensemble matches their minimalist prose, or who dressed-down on the daily, saving their flair for the page.
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Thom Browne took a more understated approach in muted tones, embracing gender-bending styles with a host of skirt suits.
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Contributing to that sense of suspense is the creepy, understated music by Brian McOmber, as well as Drew Daniels' often-dreamlike cinematography.
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His Liszt — one of the composer’s rare understated compositions — also flowed well.
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In the years before his playing career ended in 2013, Stackhouse continued to record pieces of his life in a more understated way.
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When Trump met Macron, for instance, the two men engaged in the quiet duel of a forceful, sustained handshake at the American Embassy — a moment widely seen as an understated victory for Macron’s particular brand of Gallic machismo.
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The Fundamentals of Caring (2016) In this understated movie, a man named Ben suffering from the loss of his child takes on a new job as a caregiver for an 18-year-old boy named Trevor who has Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
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Paterson (June 22 – Amazon Original) Adam Driver turns in one of 2016's best lead performances as a New Jersey bus driver who spends his spare time writing poetry in this understated, contemplative drama from director Jim Jarmusch.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'understated'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of understated
circa 1909
UNDERSTATED Defined for English Language Learners
understated
playDefinition of understated for English Language Learners
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: expressed or done in a quiet or simple way
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