muted

[myoo-tid]

adjective

1. of low intensity and reduced volume; softened.

   She spoke in muted tones.

muted

/ ˈmjuːtɪd /

adjective

1. (of a sound or colour) softened

   a muted pink shirt

2. (of an emotion or action) subdued or restrained

   his response was muted

3. (of a musical instrument) being played while fitted with a mute

   muted trumpet

Other Word Forms

• mutedly adverb
• unmuted adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of muted¹

First recorded in 1860–65; mute + -ed ²

Example Sentences

But here at the Conservative Party conference, the attacks have, in general, been more muted.

Read more on BBC

Though the reaction from delegates was largely muted, some were visibly squirming in their seats as the US president addressed the UN for the first time since he began his second term.

Read more on BBC

Sometimes, it takes a player of Bonmati's calibre to make the difference in the pivotal moments - and that is what she did, getting the all-important goal in a knockout stage which was otherwise somewhat muted.

Read more on BBC

Other Republicans in Congress have been more muted in their criticism of how the FCC pressed Disney-owned ABC to take action on Kimmel, who was indefinitely suspended on Wednesday.

Read more on BBC

There was a muted reception for Lions for Lambs, which saw him reunited with Out of Africa's Meryl Streep.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• delicate 
• dim 
• distant 
• dull 
• far-off 
• gentle 
• hazy 
• inaudible 
• mild 
• muffled www.thesaurus.com
• remote 
• slight 
• soft 
• soothing 
• stifled 
• vague 
• weak