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
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
Adjective
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
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The wooden floors feature graphic patterns, while bold wallpaper sets the tone in the kitchen, and the bedroom is outfitted in calming, muted tones.—
Erika Owen,
Architectural Digest,
17 Apr. 2025
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The muted pink color combination adds just the perfect pop of color (without being too bright) to an otherwise moody or even neutral palette.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
15 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Southbound Connect accounted for 49% of today’s Hong Kong turnover, indicating Mainland investors' reaction to the Trump comments was far less subdued and highlighting the real issue in China, which is real estate.—
Brendan Ahern,
Forbes.com,
23 Apr. 2025
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Fans who attended Monday’s contest noticed a subdued scene.—
The Athletic NBA Staff,
The Athletic,
13 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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As season three continues, the quiet part is said out loud.—
Cyndy Etler,
Hartford Courant,
28 Apr. 2025
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In the rich and frequently chaotic history of Marseille, there can have been fewer more apt demonstrations of the club’s inherent tendency towards turbulence than the decision to head to Rome for some peace and quiet in the same week as the death of the Pope.—
Tom Williams,
New York Times,
28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Simmons' initial reaction to the insult was a bit more restrained than his typical unfiltered comments.—
Marina Watts,
People.com,
14 Apr. 2025
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This year, the prestigious but far more restrained perpetual calendar was the complication of choice.—
Victoria Gomelsky,
Robb Report,
11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Additional offerings at the store include design services for personalized charm bracelets and necklaces, in-store soldering of heirloom pieces, and wedding ring consultations with designs that reflect Catbird’s understated and distinct point of view.—
Brin Snelling,
Forbes.com,
11 Apr. 2025
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Rather than a super stark white (which may seem unnaturally light on your waterline), the creamy shade is more understated, giving the appearance of large doe eyes.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
1 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The final amount could be affected by two factors — the number of claims and how much of the settlement fund is reduced to cover legal fees and costs.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
3 Jan. 2025
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Liver damage can be reduced if the person stops drinking.—
George Petras,
USA TODAY,
3 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Within days, a conservative legal group echoed Carr’s words in a petition asking the FCC, which governs broadcast licenses, to investigate whether coverage of Abrego Garcia on NBC, ABC and CBS distorted facts.—
Meg James,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2025
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Guidance from Dover , also out Thursday, was prudently conservative , and the market rewarded the stock.—
Kevin Stankiewicz,Matthew J. Belvedere,
CNBC,
27 Apr. 2025
Verb
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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
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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-down. Accessed 1 May. 2025.
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