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
-
That’s not the kind of hold that the mid-budget neo noir was depending on after a muted opening.—
J. Kim Murphy,
Variety,
6 Sep. 2025
-
The dresses, in muted shades ranging from pale pink to pearl gray, cream and black, contrast layers of vaporous tulle and organza with long ruffled skirts and collared capes in satin or taffeta edged with lace.—
Joelle Diderich,
Footwear News,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
While Hazel Avenue is a busy street, traffic cannot be heard from inside the house and is muffled in the front yard.—
David Caraccio,
Sacbee.com,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Wind and road noise were nicely muted with the top up, and thanks to the 911’s sleek figure and retracting wind deflector—which doesn’t automatically deploy, thankfully—wind noise was impressively muffled at highway pace.—
Peter Nelson,
Forbes.com,
25 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Prior to that, the castle had a more classical look, with creams and grays and blue accents that were more subdued than the current shades in use.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
2 Sep. 2025
-
The subdued look was hand-crafted, and took over 300 hour to make.—
Christian Allaire,
Vogue,
29 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
One result of the growth is a quiet boom in Southeast Asian grocery stores and restaurants.—
Sophie Carson,
jsonline.com,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Inside, lofted seating positions deliver an elevated view while quilted semi-aniline leather and acoustic glass buffer passengers in comfort and quiet.—
Scotty Reiss,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Classical minimalism, meant to evoke modest virtue and restrained power, is a good style for a democratic state.—
Adam Gopnik,
New Yorker,
6 Sep. 2025
-
The sizable rooms offer a restrained elegance, with white marble bathrooms, mid-century modern furniture, and black-and-white photos of striking architecture on the walls.—
Kate Kassin,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The New York Federal Reserve’s measure of Global Supply Chain Pressure showed that July’s level of stress decreased, and is approximately now equal to the long-term average.—
George Calhoun,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Local businesses in affected neighborhoods report decreased foot traffic and lower sales amid the atmosphere of uncertainty.—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
With architecture that blends the brutalism and folk influences of Eastern Europe with the classicism of Western Europe, Finland is an understated design destination.—
Kate McGregor,
Architectural Digest,
6 Sep. 2025
-
This led to a fierce competition with the other big name of 1980s Italian fashion, Gianni Versace, whose dazzling style stood in stark contrast to Armani’s typically understated looks.—
Kati Chitrakorn,
CNN Money,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Citing economic pressures, the museum reduced its staff earlier this year, with a total of eight positions affected either by layoffs or a reduction in pay and benefits.—
Jim Higgins,
jsonline.com,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Dementia risk could be dramatically reduced with one common health intervention, a study finds.—
Staff,
FOXNews.com,
5 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Toned (down).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toned%20%28down%29. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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