variants
also low-keyed
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
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Recent Examples of low-key
The delayed and low-key nature of that April news conference would make for a stark contrast with the unveiling of another round of immigration legislation just 10 months later.
—
Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 8 Feb. 2026
Mahomes’ hodge-podge suits were an eyesore and Josh seemed like such a low-key, nice guy.
—Linda Perillo, New York Daily News, 8 Feb. 2026
Harden is more low-key and rarely smiles in interviews.
—Janis Carr, Oc Register, 5 Feb. 2026
Yet the low-key buddy comedy sometimes feels at odds with the series’ Marvel wrappings.
—The Week Uk, TheWeek, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for low-key
Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 8 Feb. 2026
Mahomes’ hodge-podge suits were an eyesore and Josh seemed like such a low-key, nice guy.
—Linda Perillo, New York Daily News, 8 Feb. 2026
Harden is more low-key and rarely smiles in interviews.
—Janis Carr, Oc Register, 5 Feb. 2026
Yet the low-key buddy comedy sometimes feels at odds with the series’ Marvel wrappings.
—The Week Uk, TheWeek, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for low-key
Recent Examples of Synonyms for low-key
Adjective
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Without my father’s booming presence, our house was strangely quiet.—
Faith Karimi,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
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What was once a gravel and sand mine is being reforested and turned into a sanctuary with quiet beaches and a pristine, spring water lake.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
After years of muted activity at the midseason, executive vice president of basketball operations Artūras Karnišovas kickstarted a flurry of activity Tuesday — first cementing a three-team trade to acquire Jaden Ivey from Detroit, then offloading Nikola Vučević to the Boston Celtics.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Feb. 2026
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Recreate the look in a similar muted color scheme, like allover cloudy white, or play around with vivid color combinations like Miami teal and head-to-toe pinks.—
Ariel Wodarcyk,
InStyle,
4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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With such a statement on top, Jenner kept the rest of the look relatively subdued.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Glamour,
14 Feb. 2026
-
The recent batch of labor market data (both public and private) indicated that there’s a high likelihood that job growth was tepid, that unemployment remained subdued and that health care remained a primary driver of overall hiring.—
Alicia Wallace,
CNN Money,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Soft lighting and exquisite, understated design set a calm tone.—
USA TODAY NETWORK,
USA Today,
13 Feb. 2026
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The elegant contemporary interiors are not flashy, but rather exude understated luxury with subtle nautical details.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Hours after Pretti was shot dead while restrained and kneeling, Leon Virden and one of his sons joined a protest near the scene.—
Natasha Korecki,
NBC news,
14 Feb. 2026
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Beatrix, first as crown princess and later as queen, continued to use the tiara, although with a more restrained use, often combining it with other pieces of the ensemble or reserving it for very specific diplomatic appointments.—
Marta Martínez Tato,
Vanity Fair,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Takaichi is a long-time conservative, closely aligned with nationalist and traditionalist causes.—
Hanako Montgomery,
CNN Money,
6 Feb. 2026
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The 8th Circuit has a generally conservative ideological makeup, as the majority of its judges were appointed by Republican presidents.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The new Seabourn is unpretentious and approachable while still being unapologetically indulgent for the price.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Feb. 2026
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The atmosphere is also lovely and unpretentious.—
Anna Grace Lee,
Vogue,
6 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Low-key.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/low-key. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.
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