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)
Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 6 Aug. 2025
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
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
Verb
Ortega’s hair extensions were removed and her eye makeup was toned-down, which gave way to her effortlessly exhausted countenance.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 6 Aug. 2025
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for toned (down)
Adjective
-
Peace Nest Linen Cotton Blend Duvet Cover Set For an effortless, earthy look, add this linen-blend duvet set to your bed that’s available in muted cream, gray, and pink.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
27 Sep. 2025
-
Duff attended the Fendi Spring/Summer 2026 show on Tuesday, September 24, along with a number of other fashion-loving celebrities like Naomi Watts and Shailene Woodley, both of whom wore muted colors and barely-there nail polishes.—
Marci Robin,
Allure,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
This is the perfect opportunity for the Business Roundtable to advocate for its members in a forceful, direct challenge to the administration, but it has been perplexingly muffled.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
21 Sep. 2025
-
That should tug on our hearts since Willa’s worth caring for, but the emotional heft between dad and daughter gets muffled since there’s just not enough oxygen given to those scenes.—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Accompanied by husband Prince William, the Princess of Wales evoked subdued elegance for the somber affair.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
16 Sep. 2025
-
The subdued nature of this wine is very inviting, and the varietal character is spot on without announcing itself.—
Tom Hyland,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
In certain corners of the Internet, people have spent the past year picking apart the Swedish influencer turned fashion mogul’s $200 cardigans, her quiet-luxury aesthetic, her linen-and-curtain-bangs image, and—oh yes—those toilet-cleaning allegations.—
Stephanie McNeal,
Glamour,
24 Sep. 2025
-
The potential series will center on Violet Sorrengail, whose plans for a quiet life are upended when her mother, a military general, orders her to join the brutal Basgiath War College and become one of several hundred candidates vying to become dragon riders.—
Rick Porter,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Will the new brokers and wielders of power be more prudent and restrained?—
Kapil Komireddi,
New Yorker,
22 Sep. 2025
-
While the costumery was slightly more restrained than, say, a Met Gala, at the same time there was a back-to-school festival feel to the outfits.—
Guy Martin,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Despite continuing to lead Europe in research and development spending, funding in Germany decreased.—
Katharina Buchholz,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
-
The company reported a net loss that decreased 45% year-over-year from $332 million in fiscal 2024 to $181 million in fiscal 2025.—
Eric Rosenbaum,
CNBC,
19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Whether your taste skews towards understated basics or bold patterns, however, is entirely up to you.—
Merrell Readman,
Travel + Leisure,
20 Sep. 2025
-
The interior is a prime example of quiet luxury, with an understated palette of browns and beiges, clean lines, and minimalist furnishings.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Nguyen said his office has avoided fee increases and kept costs low by automating administrative tasks and incorporating new technology such as an AI chatbot, which has significantly reduced call volume.—
Claire Wang,
Oc Register,
26 Sep. 2025
-
Researchers hypothesized that, along with the rest of her diet, this habit kept her gut microbiome resembling that of a much younger person and reduced her levels of inflammation.—
Issy Ronald,
CNN Money,
26 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Toned (down).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toned%20%28down%29. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.
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