muted

American  

[myoo-tid] / ˈmyu tɪd /

adjective

1. of low intensity and reduced volume; softened.

   She spoke in muted tones.

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muted British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

• mutedly adverb
• unmuted adjective

Etymology

Origin of muted

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

Example Sentences

However, Niccol said: "It really is the last lever I want to pull. In the event we do have to take pricing, it should be fairly muted."

From BBC

But the usual party atmosphere surrounding the races has given way to a more muted event and sombre tributes, exactly a month after the January 1 inferno at the bar Le Constellation.

From Barron's

Sunday marks one month since the disaster, and comes as Crans-Montana, in muted fashion, hosts the final Swiss round of the 2025-2026 Alpine Ski World Cup.

From Barron's

The narrative has just been “muted by geopolitics and positioning” in the oil market, he said.

From MarketWatch

Citi analysts anticipated early share gains, particularly in the context of recent muted share performance, they said in a note.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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