TONE (DOWN) Synonyms: 48 Similar and Opposite Words

tone (down)

verb

Definition of tone (down)

as in to mute

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tone (down)

Verb

At an institution where nearly everything else has been muted, the most enduring expression of what the Kennedy Center once was now lives on its smallest stage.

— Janay Kingsberry, The Atlantic, 30 July 2026
Rich, vibrant shades like metallic copper, dusty turquoise, and muted rose pink are perfect for the transition from summer to fall.

— Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 29 July 2026

Definition of mute

Verb

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
Plus, darker tones help muffle visual clutter, creating a calming mood that feels loads richer than your budget might suggest.

— Marisa Suzanne Martin, The Spruce, 8 July 2026

Definition of muffle

Verb

On a Friday morning drive to Jackson Park and the start of WNBA All-Star Game festivities, an overcast sky dulled the spectacular horizon line of Lake Michigan.

— Brian Hamilton, New York Times, 24 July 2026
Your taste buds change at altitude Cabin pressure dulls your ability to taste salt by up to 30%, which is why airline food can taste bland and, well, terrible.

— Cindy Dees, PEOPLE, 23 July 2026

Definition of dull

Verb

For example, shifting the Fed’s portfolio toward short-term Treasury bills and away from long-term bonds or mortgage-back securities could reduce market price distortion and limit the government’s role in allocating capital across sectors.

— David Zhang, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
And China, with its massive oil inventory, has been drawing down its reserves and reduced its crude imports by more than 4 million barrels a day, according to JPMorgan.

— David Goldman, CNN Money, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of reduce

Verb

The system operates by altering the magnetic field to adjust fluid viscosity inside the dampers, continuously modifying compression and rebound damping.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 25 July 2026
Despite an active El Niño, experts say the Southwestern United States likely won’t feel its damping effect until next year.

— Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 22 July 2026

Definition of damp

Verb

Wipe the shutters with a clean cloth dampened with only water to get rid of any soapy residue, or rinse with a garden hose, using a gentle spray.

— Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 4 Aug. 2026
These bans also dampened the formation of new businesses, reducing the annual average number of startups by 35 in states with bans.

— Ben Rosa, The Conversation, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of dampen

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Browse Nearby Words

toned (down)

tone (down)

toned (up)

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“Tone (down).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tone%20%28down%29. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of tone (down)

verb

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