MUTED Synonyms: 157 Similar and Opposite Words

muted 1 of 2

adjective

ˈmyü-təd

Definition of muted

as in quieted

mostly or entirely without sound the muted cry of a frightened witness to a murder

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in subdued

not excessively showy painted with muted colors

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in silent

deliberately refraining from speech she was unexpectedly muted in the presence of her literary idol

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

muted

2 of 2

verb

past tense of mute

as in shushed

to stop the noise or speech of muted the television while she was on the phone

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in muffled

to deaden the sound of closing the windows muted the traffic noise so we could get to sleep

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of muted

Adjective

But there does seem to be fewer of them in the works lately, especially after the muted box-office performances of Snow White and Moana. — Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 13 Aug. 2026 This figure, higher than prevailing estimates, suggests more oil is reaching markets, explaining the surprisingly muted crude price spikes despite ongoing conflicts. — David Blackmon, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026

Verb

Rich, vibrant shades like metallic copper, dusty turquoise, and muted rose pink are perfect for the transition from summer to fall. — Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 29 July 2026 The point is proximity—to power, to being chosen, to feeling newly visible—no longer muted by pregnancy, by new motherhood, by the strain of white-knuckling long stretches of sobriety. — Noe Padilla, USA Today, 28 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for muted

Recent Examples of Synonyms for muted

Adjective

For a moment, the world was still and silent, save for a flock of birds flying low over the water.

— Annissa Durar, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Aug. 2026
After his father’s death, strong and silent Mauro hires a farm hand to work alongside him.

— Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of silent

Adjective

Instead, their positions are conveyed to us through the media, political elites, and heads of industry who can amplify, mute, or distort them.

— Anandita Sabherwal, Time, 3 Aug. 2026
Fauci sat mute as Johnson described adverse health effects from COVID-19 vaccines and the efficacy of ivermectin to treat the virus.

— Bart Jansen, USA Today, 29 July 2026

Definition of mute

Verb

As the moment unfolded, Savannah shushed the future king and even briefly placed her hand over his mouth in an effort to keep him composed.

— Staff Author, InStyle, 13 June 2026
The Giants offense got shushed Wednesday night by Shohei Ohtani, and their hitters went down almost as quietly against right-hander Emmet Sheehan.

— Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 15 May 2026

Definition of shushed

Verb

Now the sound was muffled from the hunters as the dogs passed around a canebrake wall bordered by a dark bayou.

— Paul Schullery, Outdoor Life, 13 Aug. 2026
Educational lectures at the aquarium and the sounds of traffic on the street both came through clearly, not remotely muffled.

— Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 30 July 2026

Definition of muffled

Adjective

Meanwhile, Mercury in your private 12th house sextiles Venus in your 2nd House of Resources, supporting quiet decisions around money, self-worth, and peace.

— Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 13 Aug. 2026
Mauro Mueller’s film is a quiet, poignant drama about loss, memory and the power of human closeness.

— Leo Barraclough, Variety, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of quiet

Adjective

Sebastian Stan and Renate Reinsve give superbly restrained performances as a married couple who have immigrated from Romania to a small seaside town in Norway with their four children.

— Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 11 Aug. 2026
The Sydney penthouse, measuring in at just under 9,700 square feet, takes a restrained approach while still feeling sumptuous, thanks to interiors that pair custom pieces with luxe materials.

— Tori Latham, Robb Report, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of restrained

Adjective

His friends, from brother Luigi (Charlie Day) to Princess Peach (Anya Taylor-Joy) veer in a similar direction, somehow coming across less fully formed and three-dimensional than their nearly speechless inspirations from Nintendo‘s flagship franchise.

— Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 31 Mar. 2026
In helicopter video taken by Air Maui Helicopter Tours in Lahaina and posted online the people aboard are largely speechless.

— Phil Helsel, NBC News, 10 Aug. 2023

Definition of speechless

Browse Nearby Words

mute

muted

muteness

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Style

“Muted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/muted. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of muted

adjective

verb

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