MUTED Synonyms: 157 Similar and Opposite Words

muted 1 of 2

adjective

ˈmyü-təd

Definition of muted

as in quieted

mostly or entirely without sound the muted cry of a frightened witness to a murder

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in subdued

not excessively showy painted with muted colors

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as in silent

deliberately refraining from speech she was unexpectedly muted in the presence of her literary idol

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muted

2 of 2

verb

past tense of mute

as in shushed

to stop the noise or speech of muted the television while she was on the phone

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of muted

Adjective

Look for more minimalist melamine dinnerware collections that are offered in muted and earthy on-trend colors. — Sheila Kim, The Spruce, 30 Aug. 2026 To keep it palatable and comfortable, pair bold hues with more muted ones for balance. — Lauren Bengtson, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Aug. 2026

Verb

You may like Notifications will be muted between midnight and 6am and between 8am and 3pm on school days. — Chas Newkey-Burden, TheWeek, 28 Aug. 2026 Skin is left textured, lips are muted or blurred and eyeliner is intentionally softened. — Ashley Lynch, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for muted

Recent Examples of Synonyms for muted

Adjective

Towering cathedrals of ice define the shore, in contrast to the vast, untouched, eerily silent expanses that stretch inland.

— Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 11 Sep. 2026
At the time, which was also a moment of upheaval for filmdom as talking pictures replaced silent films as the norm for high-end films, American players kept their distance rather than cede ground to the French on leading the film business.

— Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of silent

Adjective

Winfrey has a more subdued take on footwear, her choices consisting of neutral tones with the occasional leopard or snakeskin.

— Amina Ayoud, Footwear News, 6 Sep. 2026
Now, in the midst of a subdued market, investors are being more selective, and the new playbook for funding fashion has a lot to do with the quality of that growth, the depth of connection with customers and the founder’s individual appeal.

— Tara Donaldson, Vogue, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of subdued

Adjective

Although networks must understand that the audience could truly just press the mute button and watch in silence, the contracts for these broadcasters keep getting sillier and sillier.

— Candace Buckner, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Equipped with the master sword and the Hylian Shield straight out the video game, Rosenauer tried to stay mute just like his character.

— Rashad Alexander August 31, Kansas City Star, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of mute

Verb

As the moment unfolded, Savannah shushed the future king and even briefly placed her hand over his mouth in an effort to keep him composed.

— Staff Author, InStyle, 13 June 2026
The Giants offense got shushed Wednesday night by Shohei Ohtani, and their hitters went down almost as quietly against right-hander Emmet Sheehan.

— Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 15 May 2026

Definition of shushed

Verb

Now the sound was muffled from the hunters as the dogs passed around a canebrake wall bordered by a dark bayou.

— Paul Schullery, Outdoor Life, 13 Aug. 2026
Educational lectures at the aquarium and the sounds of traffic on the street both came through clearly, not remotely muffled.

— Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 30 July 2026

Definition of muffled

Adjective

The storefront itself remains restrained, with each window presenting a single frame on a sculptural glass pedestal.

— Thomas Waller, Footwear News, 8 Sep. 2026
The push comes as Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi faces criticism at home for a restrained response, trying to balance Japan’s alliance with Washington and its commitment to international justice.

— Mari Yamaguchi, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of restrained

Adjective

By the end, the audience is left almost speechless — and still thinking about this singular, deeply original performance long after Lyons has left the stage.

— Rebecca Rosman, NPR, 31 Aug. 2026
His friends, from brother Luigi (Charlie Day) to Princess Peach (Anya Taylor-Joy) veer in a similar direction, somehow coming across less fully formed and three-dimensional than their nearly speechless inspirations from Nintendo‘s flagship franchise.

— Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 31 Mar. 2026

Definition of speechless

Browse Nearby Words

mute

muted

muteness

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“Muted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/muted. Accessed 17 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of muted

adjective

verb

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