as in muted
not excessively showy
after such a heated argument, it was a relief to hear someone use toned-down language to state their position
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 toned (down)
Laurie Brookins, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Its colorful striped pattern is toned-down ever so slightly by a pair of fashion flip-flops from Massimo Dutti and Haight’s chestnut-colored swimsuit.
—Laura Jackson, Vogue, 4 July 2024
For her, that meant toned-down, muted pinks and mauve desert tones.
—Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Mar. 2024
Verb
Perhaps another reason is that, with the exception of a few suits, men’s looks at the Grammys largely were underwhelming, and that may have also been the result of wanting to look more toned-down out of respect for victims of the wildfires.
—Laurie Brookins, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Its colorful striped pattern is toned-down ever so slightly by a pair of fashion flip-flops from Massimo Dutti and Haight’s chestnut-colored swimsuit.
—Laura Jackson, Vogue, 4 July 2024
For her, that meant toned-down, muted pinks and mauve desert tones.
—Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Mar. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for toned (down)
Adjective
-
Consumers who prefer a caramel macchiato from Starbucks for their caffeine hit will likely see a more muted impact on their wallets.—
Amelia Lucas,
CNBC,
10 July 2025
-
Market movements were relatively muted, signaling investors think Trump’s new tariffs are more negotiating tactics than firm policy.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
8 July 2025
Adjective
-
Global foreign direct investment (FDI) flows are continuing on a subdued trajectory, reflecting persistent macroeconomic headwinds and investor caution.—
Courtney Fingar,
Forbes.com,
7 July 2025
-
Lennar's earnings report last week also showed subdued activity , with the homebuilder leaning on incentives to gin up demand.—
Kevin Stankiewicz,
CNBC,
22 June 2025
Adjective
-
This silhouette features a quiet confidence through and through-bold, clean lines take the main stage on this pair.—
Robyn Mowatt,
Essence,
9 July 2025
-
Once a quiet fishing village, Nazaré, Portugal, is home to some of the world's largest rideable waves, reaching up to 100 feet.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
9 July 2025
Adjective
-
These moves have prompted concern among segments of Trump's base supportive of a restrained international role, raising questions about the administration's direction ahead of a crucial 2026 midterm election cycle.—
Nick Mordowanec,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 July 2025
-
As Rick, Goggins got to show longtime fans and incoming members of his fan club a rarer side of the actor: quiet, restrained, in deep amounts of unspoken pain.—
Josh Wigler,
HollywoodReporter,
8 July 2025
Adjective
-
But the collection proved more understated than its presentation, despite its focus on India’s sartorial influence on contemporary fashion.—
Alice Pfeiffer,
CNN Money,
1 July 2025
-
There are both bold and understated options available.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
27 June 2025
Verb
-
O'Reilly said that the police department reduced the number of abuse complaints and use of Taser, which had been leading to costly lawsuits.—
Niraj Warikoo,
Detroit Free Press,
3 Jan. 2025
-
Liver damage can be reduced if the person stops drinking.—
George Petras,
USA TODAY,
3 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
In addition, the independence of private universities and their tax status that encourages donations supports conservative and sectarian schools: Boston College, Notre Dame, Brigham Young, Liberty University, among many others.—
Peter Balakian
July 9,
Literary Hub,
9 July 2025
-
But even after the court's conservative majority limited the use of far-reaching injunctions that block enforcement of a policy across the country, the justices may continue to face a steady drumbeat of emergency appeals seeking their intervention.—
Melissa Quinn
July 9,
CBS News,
9 July 2025
Verb
-
Lepers’s case study offers a test of whether the same is true in your 50s, or whether the body’s adaptive potential is so blunted that some of the losses become permanent.—
Alex Hutchinson,
Outside Online,
23 Dec. 2024
-
On a third day, exercising afterwards blunted my Lingo Count by a few points.—
Meg Tirrell,
CNN,
29 Nov. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Toned (down).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toned%20%28down%29. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share