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
Hedy Phillips, PEOPLE, 5 May 2026
The Melissa Harmonic Petal Jelly Flip Flops feature bold floral decals that embrace the season’s blooms and add an understated standout to your footwear.
—Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 1 May 2026
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 May 2026
This piece is understated enough to mix in with a variety of styles, and its classic shape leans timeless over trendy.
—Tessa Cooper, The Spruce, 1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for understated
Adjective
The following year, the Wolf of Wall Street star leaned into understated elegance in a custom Calvin Klein floor-length number with waist cutouts.
—Hedy Phillips, PEOPLE, 5 May 2026
The Melissa Harmonic Petal Jelly Flip Flops feature bold floral decals that embrace the season’s blooms and add an understated standout to your footwear.
—Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 1 May 2026
Verb
The rooms The rooms are classic, clean, and understated, with a colonial-Mediterranean style that offers timber floors and plantation shutters.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 May 2026
This piece is understated enough to mix in with a variety of styles, and its classic shape leans timeless over trendy.
—Tessa Cooper, The Spruce, 1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for understated
Recent Examples of Synonyms for understated
Adjective
-
Almost all of her daytime choices are neutral tones — soft grays or muted colors, pinstriped wool blazers and soft charcoals.—
Gretta Monahan,
Boston Herald,
7 May 2026
-
Rooms were designed by Lowell and decorator Tiffany Vassilakis, featuring muted interiors, fireplaces and claw-foot tubs — closer in feel to a private country home than a traditional hotel.—
Hanna Wickes,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
Those fights faded once governments began delineating specific zones where such projects were allowed and impacts could be minimized.—
Bloomberg,
Oc Register,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Warsh also minimized the president’s threats against the central bank, asserting that the Fed isn’t actually in any immediate danger of being coerced.—
Will Gottsegen,
The Atlantic,
22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The Yankees, who have scored eight runs over their losing streak, were otherwise quiet against Brandon Young and Baltimore’s bullpen, going 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position and stranding five runners.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
12 May 2026
-
Treatment rooms are tucked into a quiet section of the hotel, and the menu covers the usual range—massages, facials, and body treatments aimed largely at travelers recovering from long flights or long days of sightseeing.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
12 May 2026
Adjective
-
The mood music at City, meanwhile, is noticeably more subdued, although Jeremy Doku’s last-gasp curling equaliser on Merseyside did keep their hopes alive.—
Ayo Akinwolere,
New York Times,
10 May 2026
-
In the 2010s, Streisand’s style often went the more subdued route, but stayed elegant as ever.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
9 May 2026
Verb
-
And that’s partly why Weltman dismissed coach Jamahl Mosley the day after the Magic were eliminated and also discussed Orlando’s roster needs — which, in his eyes, include more shooting and veteran help.—
Jason Beede,
The Orlando Sentinel,
9 May 2026
-
Adams dismissed this notion out of hand, with no small amount of hostility.—
New York Daily News,
New York Daily News,
9 May 2026
Adjective
-
Once there, prosecutors said the second victim was also forced into the back of the truck and restrained.—
Anthony Thompson,
USA Today,
8 May 2026
-
The novel opens with the news of William Stoner’s death, delivered in the restrained, factual tone of an obituary.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
Many community leaders and local officials downplayed the impact of SB 79 on San Diego when it was approved last October because the city had already done significant upzoning near many of its trolley stops, especially in University City and Mission Valley.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 May 2026
-
The AfD has become more radical since then, and some of its prominent members have openly used Nazi language and downplayed the Holocaust.—
Nick Tabor,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
8 May 2026
Adjective
-
These are products have a short, simple ingredient lists that are easy to understand for regular consumers and are free from additives.—
Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
7 May 2026
-
Sometimes this involved simple in-person observations.—
E. Tammy Kim,
New Yorker,
7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Understated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/understated. Accessed 12 May. 2026.
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