as in muted
not excessively showy
after such a heated argument, it was a relief to hear someone use toned-down language to state their position
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Recent Examples of toned-down
Laurie Brookins, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Its colorful striped pattern is toned-down ever so slightly by a pair of fashion flip-flops from Massimo Dutti and Haight’s chestnut-colored swimsuit.
—Laura Jackson, Vogue, 4 July 2024
For her, that meant toned-down, muted pinks and mauve desert tones.
—Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Mar. 2024
Adjective
Perhaps another reason is that, with the exception of a few suits, men’s looks at the Grammys largely were underwhelming, and that may have also been the result of wanting to look more toned-down out of respect for victims of the wildfires.
—Laurie Brookins, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Its colorful striped pattern is toned-down ever so slightly by a pair of fashion flip-flops from Massimo Dutti and Haight’s chestnut-colored swimsuit.
—Laura Jackson, Vogue, 4 July 2024
For her, that meant toned-down, muted pinks and mauve desert tones.
—Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Mar. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for toned-down
Adjective
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Advertisement Advertisement But hopes for a breakthrough this weekend with the Chinese remain muted.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
9 May 2025
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Over the decades, observance of V-E Day in the West has assumed a more muted, solemn tone.—
Noah Rothman,
National Review,
8 May 2025
Adjective
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The Northern Hemisphere experiences a more subdued shower, with about 10 to 20 meteors streaking across the sky each hour, NASA said.—
Hannah Poukish,
Sacbee.com,
4 May 2025
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There is also Rosy Check, Sterling Check, and Mocha Check, which feel more subdued.—
Lauren Thomann,
Better Homes & Gardens,
24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The saw-whets, perhaps intimidated by the larger owl, had gone quiet.—
Brad Dokken,
Twin Cities,
10 May 2025
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Brazile, a current ABC News contributor, added that Biden stayed relatively quiet during Trump's first 100 days in office this term, honoring an unwritten presidential tradition, and stressed that Biden deserves a platform.—
Brittany Shepherd,
ABC News,
9 May 2025
Adjective
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In 2024, China's approach to U.S. tariffs remained relatively restrained.—
Kate Nalepinski,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 May 2025
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Maybe this will be a rare case of restrained longing.—
Laura Bradley,
Vulture,
9 May 2025
Adjective
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The Chedi Al Bait hotel, in Sharjah, a United Arab Emirate, is so understated that it is barely marked on the road that runs along Sharjah Creek.—
Catherine Fairweather,
Air Mail,
5 Apr. 2025
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This babydoll cami has all the free and understated charm of a summer dress, only in tanktop style.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
27 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The final amount could be affected by two factors — the number of claims and how much of the settlement fund is reduced to cover legal fees and costs.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
3 Jan. 2025
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Liver damage can be reduced if the person stops drinking.—
George Petras,
USA TODAY,
3 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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At an average price of $40,000 per vehicle and a conservative 20% net margin, that’s $80 billion in profit.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
10 May 2025
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Another key difference of Trump’s first term is that the full-scale conservative war on diversity, equity, and inclusion had not yet launched.—
Jessica Winter,
New Yorker,
10 May 2025
Verb
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Lepers’s case study offers a test of whether the same is true in your 50s, or whether the body’s adaptive potential is so blunted that some of the losses become permanent.—
Alex Hutchinson,
Outside Online,
23 Dec. 2024
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On a third day, exercising afterwards blunted my Lingo Count by a few points.—
Meg Tirrell,
CNN,
29 Nov. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Toned-down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toned-down. Accessed 22 May. 2025.
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