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
-
The muted response to these modern takes on decades-old classics perhaps explains the move toward reviving properties that resonate with much younger generations instead.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
13 June 2025
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London, on the other hand, has a much more muted outlook.—
Ryan Masiello,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2025
Adjective
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Defying the typical approach where women tend to remain subdued and silent, often fearful of additional scrutiny.—
Gemma Allen,
Forbes.com,
25 June 2025
-
Its madras inventory today includes these seven-inch shorts in a slightly more subdued and earthy pattern and color.—
Eric Twardzik,
Robb Report,
23 June 2025
Adjective
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Without it, people go quiet, engagement drops and growth stalls.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
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Young visitors will enjoy the splash pad and water slide, while guests ages 18 and older are welcome to relax in the quiet adults-only pool and hot tub.—
Patrick Connolly,
The Orlando Sentinel,
27 June 2025
Adjective
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Lemon The little black dress of garnishes, at once flirty and restrained.—
Amiel Stanek,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
16 June 2025
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With two monochrome takes on intricate guilloché work the new dial designs come across as more restrained, even with baguette-cut indices.—
Thor Svaboe,
Robb Report,
13 June 2025
Adjective
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The shade is more understated than golden apricot, perfect for folks like me who typically brighten up for summer but want to get a little more playful by adding in some gentle red tones.—
Leah Prinzivalli,
Allure,
9 May 2025
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Haliburton was more understated, praising the rest of his teammates.—
Ben Morse,
CNN Money,
7 May 2025
Verb
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O'Reilly said that the police department reduced the number of abuse complaints and use of Taser, which had been leading to costly lawsuits.—
Niraj Warikoo,
Detroit Free Press,
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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Trump and Bondi, though, praised the court's conservative majority for limiting a federal judge's power to block a president's policy nationwide.—
Alexandra Hutzler,
ABC News,
27 June 2025
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Consider that for the average university lab, the indirect costs alone—including office support, computing, compliance, instruments, space and administrative support—average $8 million annually, and that's a conservative estimate.—
Siamak Baharloo,
Forbes.com,
27 June 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 30 Jun. 2025.
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