variants
also low-keyed
as in subdued
not excessively showy
hoping to make a good impression, he deliberately chose a low-key tie with a subtle pattern
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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of low-key
The artist-friendly festival takes pride in hosting a low-key environment that has been alluring to both young, up-and-coming comedians as well as some comedic legends.
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Jason Mastrodonato, The Mercury News, 14 Jan. 2025
He has been replaced with Rep. Morgan Griffith (R-Va.), a low-key member of the right-wing House Freedom Caucus who rarely joins his colleagues' rebellions against leadership.
—Andrew Solender, Axios, 14 Jan. 2025
Big Kenny has been relatively low-key about his political views, standing in contrast to his bandmate, who has been an outspoken supporter of Trump and conservative stances over the years.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 11 Jan. 2025
Aboard their two larger ships, Marina and Riviera, a private dining venue, aptly named Privée, hosts small groups (up to 10 per night) for low-key chef dinners.
—Ryan McCarthy, Saveur, 2 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for low-key 
Jason Mastrodonato, The Mercury News, 14 Jan. 2025
He has been replaced with Rep. Morgan Griffith (R-Va.), a low-key member of the right-wing House Freedom Caucus who rarely joins his colleagues' rebellions against leadership.
—Andrew Solender, Axios, 14 Jan. 2025
Big Kenny has been relatively low-key about his political views, standing in contrast to his bandmate, who has been an outspoken supporter of Trump and conservative stances over the years.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 11 Jan. 2025
Aboard their two larger ships, Marina and Riviera, a private dining venue, aptly named Privée, hosts small groups (up to 10 per night) for low-key chef dinners.
—Ryan McCarthy, Saveur, 2 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for low-key
Recent Examples of Synonyms for low-key
Adjective
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Wall Street is rallying Friday after a subdued start to 2025 in the prior session.Paulina Likos, CNBC, 3 Jan. 2025
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Less than two weeks after President John F. Kennedy was assassinated, an Army-Navy football game played in front of a crowd of 102,000 spectators at Philadelphia’s Municipal Stadium on December 7, 1963, might have been a subdued and somber affair.Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Blue bloods are the most elite programs in college football like Notre Dame and Penn State, recognized for a more understated on-the-field presence.Kate Aguilar / Made by History, TIME, 9 Jan. 2025
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At Carolina Herrera, lightly glossed plum lip stains took centre stage, while at Grace Ling, lips were dressed in an understated nude, blurred at the edges.Rebecca Fearn, refinery29.com, 6 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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But Judge Declines to Impose Punishment General News How the L.A. Wildfires Are Becoming a Conspiracy-Theorists' Haven -- and a Political Weapon Locals long have prized Palm Beach for its restrained serenity.Beth Landman, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Jan. 2025
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On the other hand, every action, inaction and reaction remains uncannily familiar, making Chowdhury’s restrained approach feel like the right one.Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 17 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Since Election Day, there has been a muted—but nearly universal—grumbling about Biden’s choices, mostly since the 2022 midterms that saw Democrats fare better than expected, building up the party’s hope in holding on to the White House in 2024.Philip Elliott, TIME, 13 Jan. 2025
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Contemporary yet refined, this hotel offers 104 rooms, each with a muted palette of blues, tans, and oranges, and plenty of communal spaces to get a taste of the city’s vibrant culture.Michaela Trimble, Vogue, 12 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Personal branding is tough for unpretentious people with upstanding integrity to embrace.Carlo Tortora Brayda, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025
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A certain unpretentious lightness, a stirring belief— hope, even.Brandon Taylor, The Atlantic, 4 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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My top answer is a simple and no-brainer recommendation: Wash your hands with soap and water.Amanda Schupak, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2025
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Still, incorporating advanced technology isn’t always simple.Rhett Power, Forbes, 12 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Finns are quiet and reserved compared to, well, Americans.Christopher Elliott, USA TODAY, 10 Jan. 2025
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Japanese writers, too, have long discussed the meditative nature of cleaning, seeing it as an opportunity for quiet introspection.Ana Morales, Vogue, 10 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The Supreme Court's conservative majority has historically been highly deferential to the government's position on matters of national security, but the justices are also likely to be cautious about a precedent-setting decision that could silence a wildly popular communication tool.Devin Dwyer, ABC News, 10 Jan. 2025
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On Wednesday afternoon, ABC News first reported that Trump spoke with conservative Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito one day before the president-elect asked the court for the immediate stay.Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 10 Jan. 2025
Articles Related to low-key
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Cite this Entry
“Low-key.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/low-key. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
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