tone (down)

verb

Definition of tone (down)next
as in to mute

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tone (down)
  1. mute
  2. blunt
  3. muffle
  4. dull
  5. reduce
  6. decrease
  7. damp
  8. dampen
Verb
  • But now the state is under attack, which could mean that millions in federal dollars will be clawed back and the state’s voice muted.
    — Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2026
  • As traffic in the strait remains muted, at least 15 commercial vessels transited the waterway in the past 24 hours, according to MarineTraffic data.
    — Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 11 July 2026
Definition of mute
Verb
  • Secure boot was introduced in 2012 to blunt the threat of bootkits, the term for such malicious firmware.
    — Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 14 July 2026
  • Zelenskyy and his top officials have long warned that Ukraine needs more air defense systems and far more ammunition to blunt Russia's daily long-range strikes.
    — David Brennan, ABC News, 14 July 2026
Definition of blunt
Verb
  • 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
  • But the lack of competitive consequences for floundering clubs does very little to muffle those pushing for pro/rel.
    — Ian Nicholas Quillen, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026
Definition of muffle
Verb
  • Your diplomatic touch can set kind boundaries without dulling your warmth.
    — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 9 July 2026
  • The 22-year-old was long considered ill-suited for grass, given how the surface dulls the athletic foundation of her game and rushes her forehand.
    — Ava Wallace, New York Times, 9 July 2026
Definition of dull
Verb
  • Derived from a Central African shrub, the drug's ability to reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings were uncovered by accident, when Howard Lotsof, a 19-year old addicted to heroin, tried ibogaine out of curiosity in 1962.
    — Gavin Escott, USA Today, 6 July 2026
  • Displaying tactical discipline and superior talent, the English national team defeated Mexico 3-2 with a lineup reduced to 10 men on Sunday night.
    — Eduard Cauich, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
Definition of reduce
Verb
  • The Postal Service has grappled with increasing costs as mail volumes have steadily decreased for years.
    — Stella Canino-Quiñones, Washington Post, 10 July 2026
  • Opponents of the task force note that crime was already decreasing in Memphis before the unit’s arrival.
    — Andy Rose, CNN Money, 10 July 2026
Definition of decrease
Verb
  • The resulting cavities are filled with dedicated acoustic damping material to control unwanted internal reflections.
    — Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
  • People experiencing heatstroke can have hot, red, dry or damp skin.
    — Hali Smith, Idaho Statesman, 9 July 2026
Definition of damp
Verb
  • The new colossus would significantly dampen competition, Bonta and the other Democratic prosecutors argue.
    — Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 13 July 2026
  • That has dampened conjecture that Thomas, the oldest justice at 78, might retire before then.
    — Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 11 July 2026
Definition of dampen
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.

Browse Nearby Words

toned (down)
tone (down)
toned (up)
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Cite this Entry

“Tone (down).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tone%20%28down%29. Accessed 17 Jul. 2026.

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