as in muted
not excessively showy
the actor's understated interpretation of the lead role is surprisingly compelling
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in minimized
to say that (something) is smaller, less important, etc., than it really is
He understated his taxable income. She's trying to understate the issue/problem.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example 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 understated
Rebecca Fearn, refinery29.com, 6 Jan. 2025
The Andiamo Along with all the supremely luxurious yet understated luxuries that walked the Bottega Veneta’s spring/summer 2023 show was a new bag.
—Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 4 Jan. 2025
Luke Smith, The Athletic, 24 Nov. 2024
The resort's 89 suites are understated yet elegant.
—Rooksana Hossenally, Forbes, 19 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for understated 
Adjective
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
The Andiamo Along with all the supremely luxurious yet understated luxuries that walked the Bottega Veneta’s spring/summer 2023 show was a new bag.
—Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 4 Jan. 2025
Verb
The importance of these two victories cannot be understated.
—Luke Smith, The Athletic, 24 Nov. 2024
The resort's 89 suites are understated yet elegant.
—Rooksana Hossenally, Forbes, 19 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for understated
Recent Examples of Synonyms for understated
Adjective
-
Goldman Sachs analyst Eric Sheridan had a more muted view on shares of Netflix.—
Lisa Kailai Han,
CNBC,
22 Jan. 2025
-
Completed in 1914, the canal’s planned grand opening ceremony was canceled because of the outbreak of World War I, with the first vessel passage being a muted affair.—
CNN.com Wire Service,
The Mercury News,
20 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
When a newer female professional receives guidance from an accomplished woman in that industry, obstacles can be minimized and doors can begin to open.—
Leen Kawas,
Forbes,
23 Dec. 2024
-
Intensive predator control programs have minimized the impact of invasive species, and the establishment of predator-free sanctuaries provides safe environments for breeding and raising chicks.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes,
22 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
After going quiet briefly as emergency responders grappled to contain the multiple fires that destroyed entire neighborhoods and killed at least 27 people, De Laurentiis broke her silence.—
Madeleine Marr,
Miami Herald,
22 Jan. 2025
-
All the preceding intrigue is really a setup for climactic dialogues between father and daughter that are quiet, unpleasant, but fully loaded with stinging emotional payoff.—
Dennis Harvey,
Variety,
22 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Related Articles Tuesday’s interfaith service looked considerably more subdued than Monday night’s Inaugural Balls.—
Rosemary Feitelberg,
WWD,
21 Jan. 2025
-
Victorian Era and British Royalty Eventually, British monarch Queen Victoria gave rise to the mourning brooch a more subdued but meaningful design in which a piece of the deceased's hair—in Victoria’s case, hair from Prince Albert—is incorporated into the design.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
18 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Just one day earlier, Kohli had been dismissed yet again by Boland after fending outside the off-stump and caught behind the wicket.—
Tristan Lavalette,
Forbes,
4 Jan. 2025
-
This lawless case should have never been brought and the Constitution demands that it be immediately dismissed.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
4 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
In this case, the Mechanical Watch Box goes for restrained elegance.—
David Szondy,
New Atlas,
22 Jan. 2025
-
But four years later, after the terror attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 had driven the president's approval rating to record highs and fueled a win in the popular vote as well as the Electoral College, the atmosphere was more restrained.—
Ron Elving,
NPR,
18 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Sara Kelly, Starbucks’ executive vice president and chief partner officer, downplayed the impact of the strikes in a public letter to employees late Monday.—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
24 Dec. 2024
-
The cover song itself — recorded by Kardashian and produced by Barker — is severely downplayed.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
23 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
In recent years, DEI has become a social and political lightning rod for lawmakers, corporate leaders and conservative activists who have sought to cast such initiatives as unfair and even racist, with some emboldened by the Supreme Court’s gutting of affirmative action.—
Nicquel Terry Ellis,
CNN,
22 Jan. 2025
-
Since then, Republican President Donald Trump appointed three new conservative justices during his first term, shifting the court to the right.—
Ian Max Stevenson,
Idaho Statesman,
22 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near understated
Cite this Entry
“Understated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/understated. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share