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

The relatively benign inflation readings reflect how tariff-related price increases have been more muted than previously expected.

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If you report him in an unfavorable light, he wants you muted.

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Prices rebound after muted U.S. employment data supported expectations that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates as the labor market weakens, ANZ analysts write.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

For Sachs, who typically directs muted, human dramas, the unwieldy relationships and relatively large scale of 2023’s “Passages” had him looking for a smaller project to do next.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Still, U.S. stock futures edged slightly lower early in European business hours, Asian shares closed higher tracking the overnight action on Wall Street, while in Europe moves in major stock markets were muted.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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