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
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Recent Examples of toned-down
Will Ripley, CNN Money, 26 Feb. 2026
Unsurprisingly, the first dedicated PV5 camper setup to officially hit the market is far more toned-down than the SEMA 2024 WKNDR all-terrain concept camper.
—New Atlas, 13 Feb. 2026
Practicality Over Peacocking Across the fair, Fall 2026 collections seemed more toned-down than previous iterations of the tradeshow.
—Brett F. Braley-Palko, Forbes.com, 18 Jan. 2026
If big and furry isn’t really your MO, a toned-down shearling jacket or toggle-closure coat might be right for you as a cozy alternative.
—Bianca Kratky, Glamour, 24 Nov. 2025
The toned-down, minimalist coffee house opened on 21st Street in mid-October.
—Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 7 Nov. 2025
Ortega’s hair extensions were removed and her eye makeup was toned-down, which gave way to her effortlessly exhausted countenance.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 6 Aug. 2025
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
Adjective
The familiar threat landed as the US and South Korea announced that their own, possibly toned-down, military drills will return to the calendar next month.
—Will Ripley, CNN Money, 26 Feb. 2026
Unsurprisingly, the first dedicated PV5 camper setup to officially hit the market is far more toned-down than the SEMA 2024 WKNDR all-terrain concept camper.
—New Atlas, 13 Feb. 2026
Practicality Over Peacocking Across the fair, Fall 2026 collections seemed more toned-down than previous iterations of the tradeshow.
—Brett F. Braley-Palko, Forbes.com, 18 Jan. 2026
If big and furry isn’t really your MO, a toned-down shearling jacket or toggle-closure coat might be right for you as a cozy alternative.
—Bianca Kratky, Glamour, 24 Nov. 2025
The toned-down, minimalist coffee house opened on 21st Street in mid-October.
—Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 7 Nov. 2025
Ortega’s hair extensions were removed and her eye makeup was toned-down, which gave way to her effortlessly exhausted countenance.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 6 Aug. 2025
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
-
There was brief and muted laughter.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
19 Mar. 2026
-
Interiors skew minimal and elemental (raw wood, concrete, metal) and spotlight a muted palette of sand and dusty olive green; shades that pull from the sunbaked landscape dotted with palms and agaves.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Bunny, wearing a knitted Balaclava and carrying a clip board, called out commands to the chief electrician in a voice muffled with pain.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Highway traffic may have muffled the sound of gunshots.—
Graham Womack
Updated January 15,
Sacbee.com,
16 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Genimo Outdoor Area Rug For a rug that’s elegant but more subdued, look no further than this option from Genimo.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
13 Mar. 2026
-
But, Wells has been more subdued.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The terrain is demanding, but the setting—expansive views, shifting light, and quiet trails—creates a rhythm that carries through the rest of the day.—
Samantha Leal,
Travel + Leisure,
16 Mar. 2026
-
The Omni dock was relatively quiet when self-emptying and automatically dispensed cleaning solution, which was convenient.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
16 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Downstairs, Bar Calico has a more restrained vibe.—
Wilder Davies,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Refined, deliberate, restrained.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The number of Democratic-majority Congressional Districts in North Texas decreased from three to two.—
Jack Fink,
CBS News,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Over all grade levels, enrollment has decreased by about 875 students in the last 12 years while staff levels rose by 185 members.—
Michelle Mullins,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The result is effortlessly chic, and nowhere is this more apparent than in the Lobby Bar—an understated name for such a striking space.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Mar. 2026
-
The beige delivers an understated classiness and suggests this host has thought of every last detail—down to the durability of their coaster materials.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Benfotiamine reduced harmful brain changes while improving memory in animal experiments.—
BenfoTeam,
Daily News,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Refresh cycles were designed to be repeatable, with quality checks that reduced noise and prevented unintended drift.—
Matthew Kayser,
USA Today,
18 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Toned-down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toned-down. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
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