toned-down 1 of 2

adjective

ˈtōnd-ˈdau̇n How to pronounce toned-down (audio)
Definition of toned-downnext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

toned (down)

2 of 2

verb

past tense of tone (down)
as in muffled

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Dissimilar Words

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 toned-down
Adjective
The toned-down, minimalist coffee house opened on 21st Street in mid-October. — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 7 Nov. 2025 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 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 See All Example Sentences for toned-down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for toned-down
  1. muted
  2. muffled
  3. subdued
  4. decreased
  5. quiet
  6. reduced
  7. restrained
  8. blunted
Adjective
  • Related Articles Echoes of Weyant’s paintings of women in muted tones can be seen throughout the interior of her now-for-sale apartment.
    — Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Oil prices are lower, the bond market is stable, and yet the major stock averages are having a muted day.
    — Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of muted
Verb
  • The generational distance that has muffled the pain of 2001 is also seen in California’s varied educational approach.
    — Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Things between David and the other characters are awkward and muffled rather than climactic.
    — Emma Alpern, Vulture, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of muffled
Adjective
  • In one voting center in Sao Paulo, the energy was more subdued than four years ago, when Lula beat the senator’s father, former President Jair Bolsonaro.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 Oct. 2026
  • There are plenty of layers and body, but the bangs are slightly more subdued than a traditional shag.
    — Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of subdued
Verb
  • This means any slowdown in the labor market could create a more serious consumption problem, with the same households facing slower income growth and decreased access to credit.
    — Harvey Stober, CNBC, 4 Oct. 2026
  • And the number of young people who stayed on medication for six months — already quite low — may have actually decreased.
    — Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of decreased
Adjective
  • With the whizbang action long in the series’ rearview, this quiet road trip proves its emotional centerpiece, as Noah confesses both his true nature and his desire to be better — the conflict of his programming.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026
  • As the market tries to keep the momentum going, a quiet calendar of earnings and economic reports awaits in the week ahead.
    — Zev Fima, CNBC, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of quiet
Verb
  • To help pay for its tax cuts, the act reduced Medicaid payments by a trillion dollars over the next decade, though it was designed to delay the full impact of the cuts until 2027, after this year’s elections.
    — Nicholas Lemann, New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2026
  • The agency reduced service earlier this year and has proposed more cuts in recent board meetings.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of reduced
Adjective
  • Producers who do choose to use barrels do so to enhance the fruit flavors and not overpower them thus making elegant, restrained whites.
    — Mike DeSimone, Robb Report, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Dark and atmospheric, yet restrained and sophisticated, as Dunn-Edwards describes it, this hue represents a clear shift in design toward depth, personality, and nuanced warmth for both contemporary and traditional styles.
    — Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of restrained
Verb
  • Know More There’s plenty of history to look back on for House Democrats who worry that a favorable political climate could get blunted by last-minute GOP spending.
    — Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 8 Sep. 2026
  • There’s a nice bitter chocolate flavor that’s blunted perfectly by the brownies’ delicate sweetness.
    — Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of blunted

Browse Nearby Words

tone
toned-down
toned (down)
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Cite this Entry

“Toned-down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toned-down. Accessed 5 Oct. 2026.

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