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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of low-key
Finland's pursuit of tourism sustainability is decidedly low-key, as are most things in Scandinavia.
—
Christopher Elliott, Forbes, 14 Dec. 2024
Sol is low-key and strong and handsome — everyone likes him.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 12 Dec. 2024
Traditionally, advent calendars were a fun but low-key holiday gimmick.
—Tanya Tianyi Chen, Glamour, 4 Dec. 2024
Although the support probably won’t suffice for more athletic adventures like hiking or running, the no-fuss, super-comfy style is just the thing for hotel lounging, shopping and low-key sight-seeing—with no worry about blisters.
—Samson McDougall, Verywell Health, 2 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for low-key 
Christopher Elliott, Forbes, 14 Dec. 2024
Sol is low-key and strong and handsome — everyone likes him.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 12 Dec. 2024
Traditionally, advent calendars were a fun but low-key holiday gimmick.
—Tanya Tianyi Chen, Glamour, 4 Dec. 2024
Although the support probably won’t suffice for more athletic adventures like hiking or running, the no-fuss, super-comfy style is just the thing for hotel lounging, shopping and low-key sight-seeing—with no worry about blisters.
—Samson McDougall, Verywell Health, 2 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for low-key
Recent Examples of Synonyms for low-key
Adjective
-
The race, which did not feature a competitive primary, began as a subdued affair.Daniel Bice, Journal Sentinel, 6 Nov. 2024
-
Even a traditional white marble fireplace can have an impact in a subdued way when paired with a corresponding wall paint color.Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 20 Nov. 2024
Adjective
-
Bridgehampton offers a more understated and authentic take on luxury, anchored by its equestrian heritage.Emma Reynolds, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
-
CeCe Floral Mock-neck Sweater This sweater strikes the ideal balance between feminine and understated.Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 5 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
Offering tremendous richness, with flavors of plum, morel cherry and fruits of the forest, along with a note of red poppy in the aromas, there is very good acidity, restrained wood notes and significant persistence.Tom Hyland, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
-
The restrained approach has left Hermès facing one of the challenges in luxury retail: demand that far outpaces supply.Ty Gaskins, WWD, 20 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
Mars will show shades of muted reds on its surface, and its white polar cap can also be seen.John Natale, Hartford Courant, 26 Dec. 2024
-
The embrace of these aesthetics in home design seems of a piece with the move toward muted colors and curvy furniture.Sarah Archer, Architectural Digest, 23 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
Ready to let her hair down and rock out, the unpretentious singer-songwriter broadcast salient messages of self-empowerment and personal freedom through the equivalent of a giant megaphone.Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 12 Dec. 2024
-
Winning acclaim is Bar Leone, a relatively new and unpretentious neighborhood spot, which took top honors this year in the list of Asia’s 50 Best Bars, was ranked No. 2 in the World’s Best Bars, and was named the Best New International Cocktail Bar at the Tales Spirited Awards.Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 10 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
This small French bakery serves up simple but flawlessly executed French bread, and the jambon beurre sandwich here, served with a thick slathering of butter, grainy mustard and ham on a crusty baguette, reigns as my favorite sandwich of the year.Kaitlyn Rosati, New York Daily News, 25 Dec. 2024
-
Most antimatter particles created in particle accelerators have been fairly simple: anti-protons, positrons, anti-tritium and anti-helium — that sort of thing.Keith Cooper, Space.com, 25 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
Then there’s the guy in the quiet car on the 10:33 A.M.Patricia Marx, The New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2024
-
Fede Valverde’s goal highlights the quiet work at Valdebebas Madrid took Sevilla apart with two powerful shots, first from Mbappe and then by Fede Valverde.Mario Cortegana, The Athletic, 23 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
Panama’s conservative president José Raúl Mulino, who was elected in April on a pro-business platform, roundly rejected that notion as an affront to his country’s sovereignty.Bill Barrow and Will Weissert, Los Angeles Times, 23 Dec. 2024
-
Progressive and centrist parties have higher approval, while conservative factions are more skeptical, although there is growing acceptance even within these groups.Dario Sabaghi, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
Articles Related to low-key
Thesaurus Entries Near low-key
Cite this Entry
“Low-key.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/low-key. Accessed 31 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share