as in muted
not excessively showy
the actor's understated interpretation of the lead role is surprisingly compelling
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of understated
Martino Carrera, WWD, 21 Oct. 2024
The current iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max are mostly demure and understated, unlike the more vivid shades for the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus.
—David Phelan, Forbes, 18 Oct. 2024
Rooksana Hossenally, Forbes, 19 Oct. 2024
For Spring/Summer 2025, Jones’ collection was understated and sensual, reflecting the current trend in quiet luxury.
—Laia Farran Graves, Forbes, 18 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for understated 
Adjective
Tapping into the slow fashion movement, communication expert Paolo De Vivo launched his knitwear project back in 2018, building it into a go-to brand for luxurious and understated wardrobe builders.
—Martino Carrera, WWD, 21 Oct. 2024
The current iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max are mostly demure and understated, unlike the more vivid shades for the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus.
—David Phelan, Forbes, 18 Oct. 2024
Verb
The resort's 89 suites are understated yet elegant.
—Rooksana Hossenally, Forbes, 19 Oct. 2024
For Spring/Summer 2025, Jones’ collection was understated and sensual, reflecting the current trend in quiet luxury.
—Laia Farran Graves, Forbes, 18 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for understated
Recent Examples of Synonyms for understated
Adjective
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And while Nicola Coughlan, Zendaya and Kaia Gerber have all embraced the power of hair-teasing this year, the aim for this new style is less Marge Simpson, more muted.Leah Dolan, CNN, 13 Dec. 2024
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The sleek setting includes a muted grey palette, hints of metallic, and an impressive collection of artwork by international artists.Shivani Vora, Architectural Digest, 13 Dec. 2024
Verb
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The location of the fire not far from the ocean also minimized space for the blaze to grow.Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 10 Dec. 2024
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Cinematographer Marius Panduru shoots the film with a fairly elementary, straightforward grammar, the lush environs of the Aegean sea minimized by what becomes a stately drama where shots feel more like coverage than thoughtful.Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 6 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Principled a stand as some might have seen it, Variety would have no doubt been part of a very quiet and small minority.Andrew Wallenstein, Variety, 11 Dec. 2024
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Hotel du Palais de l'Isle overlooks a quiet canal—one of the many that earned the city of Annecy its Venice of France monicker.Michael Venutolo-Mantovani, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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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
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Advertisement The spry 76-year-old with bushy gray hair growing horizontally off his head like a subdued Doc Brown is the white hat — the boss — on his crew.Benjamin Royer, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2024
Verb
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In 2019, the child died and Stiles was charged with murder, but those charges were dismissed.Sharon Coolidge, The Enquirer, 11 Dec. 2024
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The case against the man was eventually dismissed, and the lawsuit was settled for $7,500.Shayla Colon, New York Times, 11 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Speaking on behalf of the Mercosur nations, President of Uruguay Luis Lacalle Pou was more restrained and succinct.Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 6 Dec. 2024
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In June, the United States made a move in this direction by sponsoring a UN resolution calling on both Israel and Hamas to end the war, although the language was somewhat restrained, and for now, the resolution has had little effect.Daniel Silverman, Foreign Affairs, 28 Aug. 2024
Verb
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Meanwhile, Lithuanian authorities downplayed the prospect of nefarious activity, insisting that no evidence pointing to sabotage had yet been uncovered.Alexandra Banner, CNN, 27 Nov. 2024
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In a Meet the Press interview almost a decade later, Gingrich downplayed the official sanction.NBC News, NBC News, 24 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Good led the conservative House Freedom Caucus but narrowly lost his primary during the summer to Virginia State Senator John McGuire, who was endorsed by President-elect .Sonam Sheth, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024
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Heritage Action, the advocacy arm of the conservative think tank Heritage Foundation, is working to pressure GOP senators from nine states to support President-elect Trump’s Cabinet picks.Lauren Irwin, The Hill, 11 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near understated
Cite this Entry
“Understated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/understated. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
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