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.
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Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of understated
Kelsey Stewart, Footwear News, 4 Jan. 2026
Duwaji, 28, has continued to subvert expectations in her clothing choices as the incoming first lady, favoring understated, modern looks with creative-class sensibility.
—Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 2 Jan. 2026
Taryn Shorr-McKee, Travel + Leisure, 28 Dec. 2025
The mortal wound is not physical, the book, so far from being a melodrama, is very brilliantly understated.
—Literary Hub, 22 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for understated
Adjective
The British actress is partial to no-fuss, understated silhouettes, such as Femme LA’s Andx sandals.
—Verb
Capitol Reef is vast, uncrowded, and spectacular in a way that’s simultaneously understated and otherworldly.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for understated
Adjective
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People often make the mistake of going with a bright white paint color to balance out a room’s cool feel and muted light, but opting for a warm neutral is more effective for creating an inviting space.—
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Color choices mimic those of the terrain, all soft greens, light grays, and muted taupes.—
Verb
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Cruz and other Republicans argued the decision minimized the gravity of an attack on the judiciary and could encourage future political violence.—
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Women’s concerns are often minimized or brushed aside, making this an especially difficult area to navigate.—
Adjective
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The lightweight fabric is also quiet, so you won’t be awoken from crinkling material.—
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The family settled in a quiet residential street of older homes and multifamily buildings, some front porches festooned with pride flags still twinkling with holiday lights.—
Adjective
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More subdued is the second iteration, which features a white base with cream overlays.—
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For the best mood-boosting environment, Wadden suggests balancing the brighter color with more subdued neutrals.—
Verb
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The domestic violence case was dismissed and the theft charge had yet to be disputed in court.—
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Carrie, meanwhile, is villainized for her admittedly deluded quest to reunite with her biological son in a world that has dismissed them.—
Adjective
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Flanagan stars as Betty, a proud but emotionally restrained mother struggling with her daughter’s return, while Crowley plays Áine’s father Seamus.—
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The year 2025 saw high levels of deadly violence around the world, as conflicts grew less restrained, with civilians increasingly victims of attacks by governments and non-state actors alike, according to monitoring data.—
Verb
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The Russian space agency has previously downplayed the danger of its weapons tests in space.—
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In a separate interview with CNN on Wednesday, Luntz also downplayed inflation as an election issue and drew a distinction with affordability.—
Adjective
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This simple taupe geometric style peel-and-stick wallpaper is affordable, easy to apply, and looks gorgeous without being too bold or loud.—
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The simple addition of zipper detailing adds a preppy energy to the top.—
Cite this Entry
“Understated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/understated. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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