1
as in quieted
mostly or entirely without sound
the muted cry of a frightened witness to a murder
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in subdued
not excessively showy
painted with muted colors
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in silent
deliberately refraining from speech
she was unexpectedly muted in the presence of her literary idol
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
2
as in muffled
to deaden the sound of
closing the windows muted the traffic noise so we could get to sleep
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of muted
Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 2 May 2026
For a touch of color, introduce accents of Lichen, a muted green, the color of creeping algae.
—Sophie Flaxman, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Apr. 2026
Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 29 Apr. 2026
Even the song’s big moment—the climactic return—is muted and tentative here, as what should be the triumphant riff stalls out before its final note.
—Stephen M. Deusner, Pitchfork, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for muted
Adjective
Some of Will and Kate's Instagram followers picked up on the polish, praising the parents for allowing their daughter to buck unspoken traditions that call for muted, demure nails.
—Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 2 May 2026
For a touch of color, introduce accents of Lichen, a muted green, the color of creeping algae.
—Sophie Flaxman, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Apr. 2026
Verb
Somewhat muted amid Pat Riley’s comments this week about the need for decisive Miami Heat change were cautionary words about a process that also could be deferred, put on hold.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 29 Apr. 2026
Even the song’s big moment—the climactic return—is muted and tentative here, as what should be the triumphant riff stalls out before its final note.
—Stephen M. Deusner, Pitchfork, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for muted
Recent Examples of Synonyms for muted
Adjective
-
The mood music at City, meanwhile, is noticeably more subdued, although Jeremy Doku’s last-gasp curling equaliser on Merseyside did keep their hopes alive.—
Ayo Akinwolere,
New York Times,
10 May 2026
-
In the 2010s, Streisand’s style often went the more subdued route, but stayed elegant as ever.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
9 May 2026
Adjective
-
The Dodgers’ offense remained mostly silent until the ninth inning, when Andy Pages hit a two-run home run to prevent a shutout.—
Steve Galluzzo,
Los Angeles Times,
10 May 2026
-
Each statue the perfect epitome of silent, mothering, virginal womanhood that Ireland had come to worship.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
To the point where Reid shushed him down at times.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Lyonne shushed the staffer, got up and headed to the bathroom, according to Page Six.—
Martha Ross,
Mercury News,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Everything feels muffled, with such heavy carpeting.—
Olivia Kan-Sperling,
Artforum,
2 May 2026
-
Their replies are muffled by their hands blocking their mouths.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The Yankees, who have scored eight runs over their losing streak, were otherwise quiet against Brandon Young and Baltimore’s bullpen, going 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position and stranding five runners.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
12 May 2026
-
Treatment rooms are tucked into a quiet section of the hotel, and the menu covers the usual range—massages, facials, and body treatments aimed largely at travelers recovering from long flights or long days of sightseeing.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
12 May 2026
Adjective
-
Once there, prosecutors said the second victim was also forced into the back of the truck and restrained.—
Anthony Thompson,
USA Today,
8 May 2026
-
The novel opens with the news of William Stoner’s death, delivered in the restrained, factual tone of an obituary.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
8 May 2026
Adjective
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That strong start ended against the Rangers, as Cabrera (3-1) allowed five runs on seven hits over five innings in his worst outing of the season, and the Cubs offense was on mute.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
9 May 2026
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Three recent preprint papers that arrived within weeks of one another probe the possibility that dark matter is not a mute backdrop but an active participant in cosmic physics.—
Paul M. Sutter,
Scientific American,
6 May 2026
Verb
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After Gage Goncalves’s goal nearly 70 minutes into a scoreless game Friday silenced the most raucous crown in hockey, the Lightning reveled in a season-defining moment but realized the bigger task was two nights ahead of them.—
Eduardo A. Encina,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 May 2026
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The 2013 Rana Plaza collapse in Bangladesh is one haunting reminder of what happens when their voices are silenced.—
Jasmin Malik Chua,
Footwear News,
1 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Muted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/muted. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
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