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
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of understated
Swasti Singhai, USA Today, 20 May 2026
There’s an understated lavishness; no celebrity interior designers have been let loose and rooms have a lustrous palette of pinks, yellows and blues.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 May 2026
Angelika Pokovba, Martha Stewart, 19 May 2026
Tiny oval lenses and slim rectangular frames have slowly given way to oversized bug-eye silhouettes, wraparound shield sunglasses, and statement-making styles that feel more glamorous than understated.
—Lauren Fisher, Footwear News, 16 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for understated
Adjective
Lauren Sánchez Bezos, wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, opted for understated elegance in a strapless navy blue gown by Daniel Roseberry of Schiaparelli.
—Swasti Singhai, USA Today, 20 May 2026
There’s an understated lavishness; no celebrity interior designers have been let loose and rooms have a lustrous palette of pinks, yellows and blues.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 May 2026
Verb
The shade still feels classic and understated, especially on garage doors, trim, or exterior-facing details.
—Angelika Pokovba, Martha Stewart, 19 May 2026
Tiny oval lenses and slim rectangular frames have slowly given way to oversized bug-eye silhouettes, wraparound shield sunglasses, and statement-making styles that feel more glamorous than understated.
—Lauren Fisher, Footwear News, 16 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for understated
Recent Examples of Synonyms for understated
Adjective
-
That goes for much here, from the light that scurries away from Benjamín Echazarreta’s muted camera, to the moments of sweetness that punctuate Mariá Portugal’s largely ominous score.—
Jessica Kiang,
Variety,
14 May 2026
-
Moreover, the brand’s growth in Europe, Middle East and Africa was impacted by muted consumer sentiment in Europe due to both higher energy costs and inflation and because the conflict impacted the brand’s ability to ship into the Middle East.—
Vicki M. Young,
Footwear News,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
The team concluded the term more accurately reflects the condition’s endocrine, metabolic and reproductive features while helping reduce misunderstanding for patients who have long felt their diagnosis was minimized.—
Samantha Agate,
Charlotte Observer,
19 May 2026
-
The fire was extinguished on the roof, and damage was minimized.—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
19 May 2026
Adjective
-
The Biltmore is polished, quiet, and—despite its size—manages not to feel at all intimidating.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
19 May 2026
-
My occupations have given me a happy, humble, quiet life, but always nagging in the back of my mind has been a case of impostor syndrome.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 May 2026
Adjective
-
The response was more subdued when, in the fourth round, the San Francisco 49ers selected Prysock.—
Dan Greene,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
-
As the United States has escalated its attacks on Iran, there’s something pleasingly transgressive about bringing Iranian elements into such overtly Western music—so much so that the songs without Yaghmai’s playing seem a little subdued in comparison.—
Molly Mary O’Brien,
Pitchfork,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
That lawsuit was dismissed in December.—
Mark Puleo,
New York Times,
17 May 2026
-
For business leaders and investors, the May 20 vote should not be dismissed as symbolic diplomacy.—
Ingmar Rentzhog,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2026
Adjective
-
Policymakers in Tallahassee have shown that low taxes, restrained spending, and pro-growth priorities produce tangible benefits for residents.—
Nicole Huyer,
The Orlando Sentinel,
24 May 2026
-
Vocally, vulnerable verses gradually give way to ecstatic displays of emotion, and the instrumentation follows a similar pattern, with a restrained acoustic accompaniment at the start, and a multi-instrumental orchestration at the climax.—
Angelica Frey,
JSTOR Daily,
22 May 2026
Verb
-
By and large, Republicans were also reluctant to weigh in on Netanyahu’s proposal, and several downplayed the impact in interviews with the Washington Examiner.—
David Sivak,
The Washington Examiner,
16 May 2026
-
Bob’s family regularly told him that, of course, but Bob always downplayed it.—
Zack Meisel,
New York Times,
16 May 2026
Adjective
-
While the simple Deluxe Room is ideal for a quick overnight trip, guests looking for a longer stay should spread out in the Junior Suite with Living & Dining Area, which opens onto a semi-private stone patio with a bocce court and a firepit in the warmer months.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 May 2026
-
Huxley might easily have written a simpler novel glorifying intellectuals while mocking Stoyte’s greed and indifference to suffering.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Understated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/understated. Accessed 24 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
