Synonyms of low-key

low-key

adjective

ˈlō-ˈkē 

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• subdued
• understated
• restrained
• muted
• unpretentious
• simple
• quiet
• conservative
• unflashy
• graceful
• toned-down
• repressed
• sober
• proper
• appropriate
• plain
• suitable
• handsome
• fitting
• modest
• unobtrusive
• inconspicuous
• unadorned
• sensible
• becoming
• practical
• tasteful
• undecorated
• unnoticeable
• drab
• fit
• mousy
• mousey
• refined

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• loud
• flamboyant
• flashy
• swanky
• noisy
• ostentatious
• gaudy
• glitzy
• garish
• swank
• splashy
• meretricious
• tawdry
• flaring
• tacky
• fancy
• vulgar
• trashy
• tasteless
• razzle-dazzle
• inelegant
• baroque
• ornate
• graceless
• gilded
• gilt
• frilly
• rococo
• overwrought
• overdecorated
• overdone

Examples of low-key in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Last week, Coldplay teased their upcoming U.K. tour in a fairly low-key way. —Thomas Smith, Billboard, 20 Sep. 2024

The 23-year-old eschewed the classic, low-key go-see ’fit in favor of a model-off-duty look with some Gen-Z flavor. —Vogue, 19 Sep. 2024

Since then, while low-key by Hollywood C-Suite standards, Syracuse University and Notre Dame Law School grad Sims has been a steady confidante to fellow lawyer Zaslav in the rocky times and stock lows of the past two years. —Dominic Patten, Deadline, 19 Sep. 2024

Most businesses that operate internationally could not thrive without these low-key, under-the-radar organizations. —Jane Thier, Fortune, 18 Sep. 2024