muted
adjective
mut·ed ˈmyü-təd 
1
a
: being mute : silent
b
: toned down : low-key, subdued
2
: provided with or produced or modified by the use of a mute
mutedly adverb
Synonyms
- hushed
- noiseless
- quiet
- quieted
- silent
- soundless
- still
- stilly
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
The artist chose colors that are dark and muted. the muted sound of a distant trumpet The government chose a more muted response to the threat. Their proposal has drawn a muted reaction from most observers.
Recent Examples on the Web In addition to its typical muted color palette, Aeron introduced mood-boosting, neutral-adjacent shades like Baker-Miller pink, which the brand noted is proven to lower anxiety, as well as sage and butter yellow. 
Lauren Caruso, Harper's BAZAAR, 12 Aug. 2022 Couches by Svenskt Tenn designer Josef Frank, in bright patterns that serve as a foil to Toteme’s more muted palette, will sit nearby. Adrian Gaut, WSJ, 26 July 2022 Capella Bangkok’s allure is understated, and a muted color palette and natural furnishings lend this a hip, urban resort with a timeless feel. Livia Hengel, Forbes, 28 June 2022 Everything undulates, the rise and fall share the same muted palette, and the senses dull. Annie Proulx, The New Yorker, 27 June 2022 Designed by Urban Grace Interiors, the light-blue kitchen of this inviting home in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida—inspired by the sea—showcases a soft, muted palette and a fish-scale backsplash. Kristin Tablang, House Beautiful, 1 June 2022 This trend, of course, is all about a muted pastel color palette inspired by the movement itself. Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 16 May 2022 There are 12 airy residences, dressed in a muted palette reflecting the natural colors and serenity found outside. Travel + Leisure, 12 Apr. 2022 Parkinson also made sure that Holmes wasn’t wearing any trendy fashion from the time period, like low-slung jeans, and gave her a muted color palette in comparison to her classmates, many of whom wore pinks and teals and lime greens. Wilson Chapman, Variety, 29 Mar. 2022 See More
Lauren Caruso, Harper's BAZAAR, 12 Aug. 2022 Couches by Svenskt Tenn designer Josef Frank, in bright patterns that serve as a foil to Toteme’s more muted palette, will sit nearby. Adrian Gaut, WSJ, 26 July 2022 Capella Bangkok’s allure is understated, and a muted color palette and natural furnishings lend this a hip, urban resort with a timeless feel. Livia Hengel, Forbes, 28 June 2022 Everything undulates, the rise and fall share the same muted palette, and the senses dull. Annie Proulx, The New Yorker, 27 June 2022 Designed by Urban Grace Interiors, the light-blue kitchen of this inviting home in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida—inspired by the sea—showcases a soft, muted palette and a fish-scale backsplash. Kristin Tablang, House Beautiful, 1 June 2022 This trend, of course, is all about a muted pastel color palette inspired by the movement itself. Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 16 May 2022 There are 12 airy residences, dressed in a muted palette reflecting the natural colors and serenity found outside. Travel + Leisure, 12 Apr. 2022 Parkinson also made sure that Holmes wasn’t wearing any trendy fashion from the time period, like low-slung jeans, and gave her a muted color palette in comparison to her classmates, many of whom wore pinks and teals and lime greens. Wilson Chapman, Variety, 29 Mar. 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
1855, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
muted 1 of 2
adjective
1
as in quieted
mostly or entirely without sound the muted cry of a frightened witness to a murder Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- quieted
- silent
- hushed
- quiet
- still
- calm
- serene
- noiseless
- soundless
- tranquil
- peaceful
- stilly
- peaceable
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- noisy
- boisterous
- raucous
- uproarious
- unquiet
- rackety
- clamorous
- roaring
- clangorous
- tumultuous
- clattery
- roistering
- clattering
- rip-roaring
2
as in subdued
not excessively showy painted with muted colors Synonyms & Similar Words
- subdued
- quiet
- restrained
- understated
- repressed
- conservative
- low-keyed
- toned-down
- low-key
- simple
- appropriate
- sober
- proper
- fitting
- unflashy
- unpretentious
- modest
- plain
- suitable
- handsome
- unadorned
- becoming
- graceful
- undecorated
- unobtrusive
- fit
- inconspicuous
- drab
- unnoticeable
- tasteful
- sensible
- practical
- refined
- mousy
- mousey
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- loud
- garish
- noisy
- gaudy
- flamboyant
- flashy
- splashy
- ostentatious
- glitzy
- swanky
- swank
- flaring
- tacky
- vulgar
- meretricious
- tawdry
- tasteless
- gilded
- trashy
- inelegant
- ornate
- razzle-dazzle
- overwrought
- gilt
- fancy
- baroque
- graceless
- frilly
- rococo
- overdone
- overdecorated
3
as in silent
deliberately refraining from speech she was unexpectedly muted in the presence of her literary idol Synonyms & Similar Words
- silent
- mute
- speechless
- wordless
- mum
- inarticulate
- dumb
- voiceless
- uncommunicative
- nonvocal
- dumbstruck
- sulky
- sulking
- sullen
- tongue-tied
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- speaking
- voluble
- vocal
- communicative
- eloquent
- articulate
- outspoken
- talking
- talkative
- fluent
- loquacious
- talky
- garrulous
- unreserved
- well-spoken
- glib
- gabby
- facile
- smooth-tongued
- silver-tongued
muted
2 of 2verb
1
as in hushed
to stop the noise or speech of muted the television while she was on the phone Synonyms & Similar Words
- hushed
- silenced
- shushed
- quieted
- stilled
- squelched
- settled
- extinguished
- quietened
- quelled
- shut up
- dumbed
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- stirred
- agitated
2
as in muffled
to deaden the sound of closing the windows muted the traffic noise so we could get to sleep Synonyms & Similar Words
- muffled
- stifled
- insulated
- softened
- padded
- subdued
- mellowed
- soundproofed
- dampened
- baffled
- toned (down)
- smothered
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- amplified
- increased
- unmuffled
- heightened
- enhanced
- deepened
- magnified
- boosted
- strengthened
- stepped up