1,400 new words in our dictionary! — Parasocial, glow-up, promposal & more
1,400 new words in our dictionary! — More

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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

toned (down)

2 of 2

verb

past tense of tone (down)
as in muffled

Related Words

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
  • Middleton paired her blazer with muted pieces in cocoa — a set of trousers and a round neck jumper by British contemporary designer brand Joseph.
    — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 24 Sep. 2026
  • So, why are fuel costs so high while the global oil benchmark remains relatively muted (though still high by historical standards) at just over $100 per barrel?
    — Jordan Blum, Fortune, 23 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
  • 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
  • Officials have argued that betting losses have fueled public dissatisfaction with the economy, despite record-low unemployment and relatively subdued inflation in the country.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of subdued
Verb
  • Rooms Since its 2023 renovation, the hotel’s capacity decreased from 104 rooms to just 80, made up of 44 rooms and 36 suites, all of which have gained a generous amount of space.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Sep. 2026
  • The results revealed that the device’s electrical behavior changed consistently as the humidity decreased.
    — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of decreased
Adjective
  • After a quiet episode focused on Hal Jordan’s passing, Lanterns’s penultimate chapter deepens the mystery in surprising and wrenching ways.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 28 Sep. 2026
  • The spa setup includes a proper sauna, a genuinely cold cold plunge, hot tubs, and a quiet outdoor lounge overlooking the dunes.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of quiet
Verb
  • In fact, a 2025 study found that 28 percent of people with telogen effluvium had reduced ferritin levels, while no one in the control group had a deficiency.
    — Lindsey Bever, Washington Post, 26 Sep. 2026
  • By 2020, however, it had been reduced to a century-and-a-half-old ruin running a mile along the River Lee and in the midst of condo conversion.
    — Robert Sullivan, Vogue, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of reduced
Adjective
  • For a more restrained take, Simon Miller places fringe along a mini hem, and Ulla Johnson works it into the bodice for a more unexpected finish.
    — Corinne Pierre-Louis, Vogue, 27 Sep. 2026
  • The statements were positive but restrained, reflecting the pain inflicted by this saga.
    — Isaac Stanley-Becker, The Atlantic, 19 Sep. 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)
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Toned-down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toned-down. Accessed 29 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of argot

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

7 Great Ways to Say 'Great'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

7 Great Ways to Say 'Great'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
image of the words cracker fly and sale arranged in a triangle with the word fire in the middle
Triple Play Quiz Find the word that pairs with each of the three g...
See All