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
Julia Teti, Footwear News, 25 Sep. 2025
Yeohlee Teng became known for her scarf/coat hybrid in the 1980s, producing the kind of understated glamour that the decade is not always synonymous with.
—Kerry Pieri, Vogue, 23 Sep. 2025
Pooja Shah, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
That cultural relevance factor cannot be understated in Oscar campaigns.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for understated
Adjective
But over the last several years, Priscilla Presley’s glamorous ’60s style transitioned to more understated elegance.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 25 Sep. 2025
Yeohlee Teng became known for her scarf/coat hybrid in the 1980s, producing the kind of understated glamour that the decade is not always synonymous with.
—Kerry Pieri, Vogue, 23 Sep. 2025
Verb
Luxury Drawing inspiration from her personal collection of designer bags, DiMicco envisioned a piece that would feel minimal and understated with no hardware, allowing the quality of the leather to speak for itself.
—Pooja Shah, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
That cultural relevance factor cannot be understated in Oscar campaigns.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for understated
Recent Examples of Synonyms for understated
Adjective
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Peace Nest Linen Cotton Blend Duvet Cover Set For an effortless, earthy look, add this linen-blend duvet set to your bed that’s available in muted cream, gray, and pink.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
27 Sep. 2025
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Duff attended the Fendi Spring/Summer 2026 show on Tuesday, September 24, along with a number of other fashion-loving celebrities like Naomi Watts and Shailene Woodley, both of whom wore muted colors and barely-there nail polishes.—
Marci Robin,
Allure,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Gonzalez, the former National Security Council official, said senior policymakers thought that embassy staff were showing favoritism to Bukele, sending reports that minimized the growing crisis of democracy in El Salvador.—
T. Christian Miller,
ProPublica,
30 Sep. 2025
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Could the Giants have minimized those wayward stretches under the leadership of a different kind of manager, especially the 0-6 homestand against the New York Mets and Pittsburgh Pirates that preceded their selling posture at the July 31 trade deadline?—
Andrew Baggarly,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Britani, who has been all too quiet this whole time, sees an opening to make it about her, and thank god for that.—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
1 Oct. 2025
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Tom Willander Willander had a quiet showing at prospect camp and training camp, then debuted with two sensational preseason performances against the Seattle Kraken and the Calgary Flames.—
Thomas Drance,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Economists see an uptick in hiring, though still at a subdued level.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
28 Sep. 2025
-
Eventually the euphoria of the moment started giving way to subdued appreciation.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
27 Sep. 2025
Verb
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That it'll either get dismissed by a judge, there'll be a hung jury, there'll be an acquittal.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
28 Sep. 2025
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While independent reviews have dismissed claims of FBI orchestration, Patel’s criticism of Wray keeps pressure on the bureau, and his contradictory comments to Trump's regarding January 6 highlight divisions within the Republican Party over how to interpret the events at the Capitol.—
Emma Marsden,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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In the after-hours, the black faille number styled with a silky lime-green tank top was at once restrained and opulent, just great for a night out.—
Sandra Salibian,
Footwear News,
29 Sep. 2025
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In practice, despite his rhetoric, Israel’s longest serving prime minister’s security policy was widely seen as cautious and relatively restrained, even derided as cowardly by political rivals, who also mocked his inability to make decisive moves.—
Tal Shalev,
CNN Money,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Vrabel downplayed the severity of the injury.—
Doug Kyed,
Boston Herald,
26 Sep. 2025
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Carr later downplayed his role in the Kimmel drama, casting it as a dispute between local station owners and the national network.—
John Liu,
CNN Money,
25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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This is a sister organization to the Heritage Foundation, the think tank behind Project 2025—a sweeping conservative policy blueprint aimed at reshaping the federal government by expanding presidential power, dismantling parts of the civil service, and rolling back regulations across agencies.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
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Those frequently violent protests in downtown Portland stretched on for more than 100 days and became a top target for conservative leaders who argued Democratic leaders of major cities were being too soft on criminals.—
Andy Rose,
CNN Money,
30 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Understated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/understated. Accessed 4 Oct. 2025.
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