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
-
It was all suitably muted and understated.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
25 Oct. 2025
-
BeCalm is full of smart little touches that make life easier — think hidden pockets for your phone, buttery-soft fabrics that never cling, and muted tones that actually make getting dressed feel calming.—
Katie Ann Lehman,
StyleCaster,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The audio is muffled and at times difficult to discern.—
Lucien Bruggeman,
ABC News,
14 Oct. 2025
-
The summer noise of saplings and shrubs and bug nests and grass and flowers had been muffled by the snow.—
Hazlitt,
Hazlitt,
8 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The sleeves of Longoria’s top were rolled up to her elbows, providing some movement and ease for her subdued look.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
22 Oct. 2025
-
Meanwhile, the latest collection of Isko Luxury by PG fabrics were more subdued compared to previous seasons but no less complex and creative.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Where to stay On a quiet side street in the Latin Quarter, near the Jardin des Plantes and a 30-minute stroll from the catacombs is the Le Jardin de Verre by Locke, which opened in March 2025.—
Sophie Friedman,
AFAR Media,
22 Oct. 2025
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Meloni told the Saturday Night Live star to remain quiet as he FaceTimed Hargitay, who was en route to Poehler’s podcast.—
Angel Saunders,
PEOPLE,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
In DaCosta’s hands, Ibsen’s emotionally extreme but tonally restrained play becomes a spectacular, flamboyant melodrama, with physical action as intense as the characters’ inner worlds.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
17 Oct. 2025
-
That would include gun-violence restraining orders and domestic violence protective orders, which are among several kinds of orders that compel a restrained person to surrender firearms.—
Robert Salonga,
Mercury News,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
When pressed on how inflation increasing below market expectations does not mean prices did not rise at all, the White House cited examples of where prices decreased.—
Naomi Lim,
The Washington Examiner,
26 Oct. 2025
-
The Swiss bank noted that Miami’s bubble risk had actually decreased since 2024 and over the past five years, Miami and the similarly sunny and wealthy Dubai have led the pack, averaging real price growth of roughly 50%.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Pair it with a belt and matching earrings to complete the look, or opt for a long necklace to accentuate the neckline with an understated style.—
Caley Sturgill,
Southern Living,
20 Oct. 2025
-
Accompanied by tender, understated guitar, Gill contemplates the sacrifices and rewards that come with a life devoted to music.—
Jessica Nicholson,
Billboard,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In 2023, the NFL suspended Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams, who missed four games after his initial six-game suspension was reduced, for placing a bet on a non-NFL game from an NFL facility.—
Saad Yousuf,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
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However, Deadline reported that Grey's Anatomy had reduced the minimum guarantees for series regulars from 18 episodes per season to 14 during its 2024-25 season.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
24 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Toned (down).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toned%20%28down%29. Accessed 27 Oct. 2025.
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