TONED (DOWN) Synonyms: 112 Similar and Opposite Words

toned-down 1 of 2

adjective

ˈtōnd-ˈdau̇n

Definition of toned-down

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

toned (down)

2 of 2

verb

past tense of tone (down)

as in muffled

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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

Adjective

Many pre-fall collections, including Stella McCartney and Carven have embraced this approach, pairing a muted or neutral top with color on the bottom.

— Laurence Goldberg, Vogue, 17 July 2026
The universe of the film, as all of Nolan’s worlds are, is one drawn from the muted colors of reluctant determination and it’s structured by a gravity of inexpressible guilt.

— Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 17 July 2026

Definition of muted

Verb

Missing crucial orders because a voice is muffled, or struggling to pull out an emergency fire shelter because a mask is in the way, could be the difference between life and death.

— Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026
Everything feels muffled, with such heavy carpeting.

— Olivia Kan-Sperling, Artforum, 2 May 2026

Definition of muffled

Adjective

Without them, some would feel even bigger, more raw and dramatic, but others — especially in America, where many neutrals came specifically for the spectacle rather than for either team — could feel subdued and forgotten.

— Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 21 July 2026
Obviously, the talking-points from Kiffin will be interesting to monitor, though the Tigers head coach seems to be more subdued in person compared to his social media presence.

— Trey Wallace OutKick, FOXNews.com, 20 July 2026

Definition of subdued

Verb

Researchers could not attribute increased or decreased beach erosion to higher global average temperatures.

— Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 July 2026
So while the air won’t be clear Sunday, the greatest risk appears to have passed and the threat of rain or lightning interrupting the game also has decreased, with the forecast calling for temperatures in the mid-80s and 55% humidity at kickoff.

— Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 18 July 2026

Definition of decreased

Adjective

Xavi Simons was born in Amsterdam but grew up in the quiet village of Rojales in Alicante.

— Jay Harris, New York Times, 22 July 2026
Home Depot is poised to benefit from a quiet home renovation boom, driven by high mortgage rates and aging homes, boasting strong free cash flow and a 238% dividend hike.

— Brett Owens, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026

Definition of quiet

Verb

Graphics will reportedly be reduced, all of which could affect the quality of broadcasts.

— Maury Brown, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
After a two-month trial, Bowman instructed jurors to deliberate on second-degree murder and voluntary manslaughter charges — reduced from first-degree murder charges by prosecutors last week.

— Reeti Malhotra July 21, Sacbee.com, 22 July 2026

Definition of reduced

Adjective

Where Heron feels restrained and almost surgical, Hornbill is shaped for users who want more contact with the handle, more leverage through the cut, and a stronger physical presence without moving into oversized tactical-knife territory.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 21 July 2026
Drewchin operates in this more restrained mode throughout the record, peeling back the layers of her dizzying art pop.

— Colin Joyce, Pitchfork, 20 July 2026

Definition of restrained

Verb

Decades of declining violent crime have further blunted the public appetite for executions.

— Pamela Colloff, ProPublica, 30 June 2026
The White House’s Iran negotiations rely on the dollar’s leverage, but Tehran has blunted that weapon by using alternative financial architecture, The Wall Street Journal reported, including payments in yuan or cryptocurrency, and adopting a Chinese alternative to the Swift banking network.

— Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 24 June 2026

Definition of blunted

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toned-down

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“Toned-down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toned-down. Accessed 24 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of toned-down

adjective

verb

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