as in muted
not excessively showy
the actor's understated interpretation of the lead role is surprisingly compelling
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in minimized
to say that (something) is smaller, less important, etc., than it really is
He understated his taxable income. She's trying to understate the issue/problem.
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of understated
Jasmine Desiree, Architectural Digest, 3 June 2026
This High-neck Midi Dress is the definition of understated elegance.
—Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 3 June 2026
Samantha Leal, Travel + Leisure, 5 June 2026
In this case, his description of the electrical engineer and professor may be understated.
—Drew Endy, Washington Post, 4 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for understated
Adjective
Made from 100% Brazilian cotton and garment-washed for lived-in softness, Matteo's Riviera delivers understated refinement that lasts.
—Jasmine Desiree, Architectural Digest, 3 June 2026
This High-neck Midi Dress is the definition of understated elegance.
—Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 3 June 2026
Verb
Instead, the atmosphere was understated, with the team encouraging guests to focus on movement, recovery, sleep, and connection.
—Samantha Leal, Travel + Leisure, 5 June 2026
In this case, his description of the electrical engineer and professor may be understated.
—Drew Endy, Washington Post, 4 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for understated
Recent Examples of Synonyms for understated
Adjective
-
The abrupt end to her doubles foray at the HSBC Queen’s Club Championships was more muted.—
Steve Henson,
Los Angeles Times,
11 June 2026
-
The array of feathers added pops of color to the dress, with muted, earthy tones like soft browns and golds and more featured throughout.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
10 June 2026
Verb
-
When minimized, these bubbles stay on top of other apps.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
16 June 2026
-
In recent years, younger academics increasingly alleged that Wood was too well-established, the epitome of the old-school historian who minimized the lives of slaves, women and Indigenous people.—
Hillel Italie,
Fortune,
9 June 2026
Adjective
-
Only six minutes into this match, New Zealand has scored to take a 1-0 lead and temporarily quiet what had been a raucous crowd tilted toward the Iranian team.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
16 June 2026
-
The end of mandatory minicamp ushers in the quietest time on the NFL calendar.—
Alec Lewis,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
Verb
-
In a 55-page decision, a superior court judge has dismissed significant portions of a lawsuit filed by the former Chief Human Resources Officer of Boston Water and Sewer, including all claims against the Herald, alleging she was fired as part of a wide-ranging conspiracy.—
Flint McColgan,
Boston Herald,
14 June 2026
-
All of which spilled into public view at the City Council meeting, with commissioners claiming that, after numerous meetings, the mayor’s office dismissed their concerns and recommendations for this particular reappointment to the board.—
Denise Crosby,
Chicago Tribune,
14 June 2026
Adjective
-
All in all, Louis's hijinks were much more subdued than in previous years, however.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
13 June 2026
-
The Garden Room was also recently reimagined and now hosts Après Tea, a more elegant and subdued take on the post-ski tradition.—
Chadner Navarro,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
Pulisic downplayed the discomfort.—
Jacob Lev,
CNN Money,
13 June 2026
-
Manager Dave Roberts downplayed the injury, saying the move was precautionary because the Dodgers did not want to risk Ohtani being injured further.—
John Perrotto,
Chicago Tribune,
12 June 2026
Adjective
-
Elinor Dashwood is the epitome of Sense—self-contained, controlled, restrained.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 June 2026
-
When a court issues a domestic violence protective order, federal law prohibits the restrained person from possessing a gun.—
Sativa Banks,
The Conversation,
4 June 2026
Adjective
-
Armando Chavez, owner of local business NorCal Siders, was brought in for a simple roof patch-up but left with a big idea.—
Kayla Moeller,
CBS News,
18 June 2026
-
The cause can be something as simple as a lack of water or more complex, like fungal wilt diseases, tomato wilt viruses, walnut toxicity, or boring insects.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
The Spruce,
17 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Understated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/understated. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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