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
Where to stay on the North Fork Its largest town, Greenport, offers a low-key alternative to flashier Long Island escapes like the Hamptons.
—
Sarah Buder, AFAR Media, 2 Oct. 2025
At the beginning of this finale, the two main pairings (Will-Sylvia and Sylvia-Charlie) are both at odds in appropriately low-key ways.
—Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2025
The best of these low-key spots in Canada, at least according to a January 2025 study led by Jackpot City, an online casino, is Mt. Maichen Ski Hill.
—Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 30 Sep. 2025
Also, this is low-key the premise of the movie Simone?
—Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for low-key
Sarah Buder, AFAR Media, 2 Oct. 2025
At the beginning of this finale, the two main pairings (Will-Sylvia and Sylvia-Charlie) are both at odds in appropriately low-key ways.
—Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2025
The best of these low-key spots in Canada, at least according to a January 2025 study led by Jackpot City, an online casino, is Mt. Maichen Ski Hill.
—Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 30 Sep. 2025
Also, this is low-key the premise of the movie Simone?
—Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for low-key
Recent Examples of Synonyms for low-key
Adjective
-
The Los Angeles Dodgers, after silencing the Milwaukee Brewers, 5-1, Tuesday night in front of a subdued crowd at American Family Field, are putting on one of the most dominant pitching clinics in the league.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
15 Oct. 2025
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Economists see an uptick in hiring, though still at a subdued level.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The scenes at these restaurants may appear like a snapshot of Rome during La Dolce Vita rather than modern day Milan, where understated chic and a slice of northern Italian chill is on the menu du jour.—
Sofia Celeste,
Footwear News,
10 Oct. 2025
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Now the Bank of England is throwing around the B-word, albeit in the understated style typical of a central bank.—
Jessica Coacci,
Fortune,
8 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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That would include gun-violence restraining orders and domestic violence protective orders, which are among several kinds of orders that compel a restrained person to surrender firearms.—
Robert Salonga,
Mercury News,
13 Oct. 2025
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This would make the policy more fiscally restrained but less universal.—
Christopher Robertson,
The Conversation,
7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Max Studio London Godet Pleated Maxi Skirt Florals may be most commonly associated with the spring and summer, but opting for a darker, more muted shade allows the pattern to transition into the fall.—
Merrell Readman,
Travel + Leisure,
18 Oct. 2025
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But the colorful Diwali celebrations held annually in Indian-American communities throughout the United States are more muted this year compared to the past.—
Angela Chitkara,
Fortune,
18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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In today’s world, the Jeep remains an authentic and unpretentious outlier.—
Robert Ross,
Robb Report,
17 Oct. 2025
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Skylark Negril Beach Resort was the ideal backdrop for dreams to take shape: vibrant yet unpretentious, a space steeped in Jamaican soul.—
Essence,
Essence,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Monochromatic Raven loves to stick to a simple, serene palette by combining a variety of white tulips with different bloom times.—
Miranda Crowell,
Better Homes & Gardens,
18 Oct. 2025
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This Madewell version channels that effortless, neutral polish Kitts described—simple, structured, and endlessly versatile.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The Seattle crowd that exploded in the first was quiet.—
Mitch Bannon,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
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The three-bedroom property features quintessentially Scandi details like wide plank flooring and high ceilings, and the balcony comes equipped with sofas for quiet coffees in the morning light.—
Nicole Kliest,
Vogue,
15 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Most major news brands decline Pentagon censorship rules A dozen or more major media companies, including conservative-leaning newsrooms, have refused to sign a pledge to only report officially approved news from the Pentagon.—
Diane Brady,
Fortune,
14 Oct. 2025
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The figures were crunched by researchers at the Institute for Legislative Analysis (ILA), an organization closely affiliated with the Institute for Legislative Advocacy, a conservative group that promotes smaller government.—
Mike Lillis,
The Hill,
14 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Low-key.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/low-key. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.
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