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
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
-
That those brilliant turquoise waves had flattened and hardened into muted whites and grays.—
Laura Poppick
July 22,
Literary Hub,
22 July 2025
-
Flavonoids, an antioxidant found in oranges and other plants, may contribute to orange juice's muted effect on blood sugar.—
Sarah Bence,
Verywell Health,
22 July 2025
Adjective
-
All those greens, yellows, reds, and pinks will shine in a more subdued room setting, and the precious creation just might inspire you to start taking line dancing lessons.—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
18 July 2025
-
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
Adjective
-
Sure, Texas has plenty of sleepy towns, dusty ranchland and quiet downtowns that rarely see a crowd.—
Brandi D. Addison,
Austin American Statesman,
22 July 2025
-
The couple was murdered that same day On a sunbaked afternoon in the quiet hills of Encino, a nightmare unfolded behind the white stucco walls of a music-world power couple’s upscale home.—
Danielle Bacher,
People.com,
21 July 2025
Adjective
-
Several Republican members who spent years hyping up the Epstein case remained restrained in criticizing the White House's handling of the matter.—
John Parkinson,
ABC News,
24 July 2025
-
This restrained color story feels fresh yet timeless.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
23 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
-
Farrier grew up in New Zealand and attended a conservative Christian school.—
Brittany Spanos,
Rolling Stone,
21 July 2025
-
Edwin Feulner, founder and longtime president of the influential U.S. conservative think tank the Heritage Foundation, has died, the foundation announced in a statement.—
Reuters,
USA Today,
21 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
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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%20%28down%29. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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