toning (down)

Definition of toning (down)next
present participle of tone (down)

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for toning (down)
Verb
  • Over time, the theory goes, this will disrupt the reproduction cycle, thereby increasing competition and decreasing the overall population.
    Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 4 June 2026
  • Following the trade, Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust will own 360 shares of DOV, decreasing its weighting in the portfolio to about 2% from 3%.
    Jeff Marks, CNBC, 4 June 2026
Verb
  • The sound-muffling fabrics, carpets, ceiling tiles, tablecloths and rugs that used to decorate restaurants are deemed too stuffy these days, and even upholstered booths are being replaced by more barebones tables — and lots of them, close together.
    Allyson Reedy, Denver Post, 13 May 2026
  • Their flexible design fits snugly into ears, muffling plane engine sounds and loud conversations.
    Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 13 May 2026
Verb
  • Simple steps like version pinning or requiring a cool-down period before new library releases are available to developers can go a very long way toward blunting the supply chain attacks that are about to become far more common.
    Philip Martin, Fortune, 29 May 2026
  • South Africa’s central bank raised its benchmark interest rate for the first time in three years, in effect blunting a $1 billion fuel relief package designed to soften the blow of surging oil prices.
    Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 29 May 2026
Verb
  • The price tag comes from the California State Auditor’s report that was issued last fall, which found that maintaining similar telework policies could potentially save $225 million annually by reducing the government’s office space footprint.
    William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 6 June 2026
  • An April 2026 analysis identified 446 hospitals across 44 states at high risk of closing or reducing services because of Medicaid funding cuts.
    Jesse Pines, Forbes.com, 6 June 2026
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.

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Cite this Entry

“Toning (down).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toning%20%28down%29. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.

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