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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in subdued

not excessively showy painted with muted colors

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in silent

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in muffled

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

While more muted in color than her later looks, the outfit shows an early glimmer of her future full-on sparkle. — Kelsey Stiegman, InStyle, 25 Aug. 2026 The Pixel 11 also comes in a bright, vibrant Hibiscus and a muted white-lavender Frost. — Florence Ion, PC Magazine, 25 Aug. 2026

Verb

The Torcal’s response on-center is deliberately somewhat muted, progressing as the driver turns the wheel, helping maintain the illusion that the Torcal’s mere inertia is sufficient to carry it through irregularities in the path ahead. — Byron Hurd, The Drive, 27 Aug. 2026 Notifications will be muted during school hours, except for direct messages and safety or security alerts, and teens will receive prompts encouraging breaks. — Larry Magid, Mercury News, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for muted

Recent Examples of Synonyms for muted

Adjective

Don Henley compares the Eagles’ role there to the organist at a silent movie.

— Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026
This was nearly a full day after the latest injury there, and park officials have remained silent about what necessitated the closure.

— Blake Ellis, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of silent

Adjective

On the other hand, this education leads some to overdress—that hyper-graphic maxi dress paired with a neon pink beret is going to clash with the more subdued, elegant looks that stylish Parisians tend to sport.

— Matt Ortile, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Aug. 2026
Storms can still find windows of opportunity to form and become a threat, even in an overall subdued season.

— Chris Dolce, CNN Money, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of subdued

Adjective

Equipped with the master sword and the Hylian Shield straight out the video game, Rosenauer tried to stay mute just like his character.

— Rashad Alexander August 31, Kansas City Star, 31 Aug. 2026
His mute misadventures are the purest expression of animation’s freedom to do and draw anything.

— Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 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

Staying upstairs is the quiet advantage with no lines, just an elevator ride to a nightcap under all that light.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Sep. 2026
Margot has left her field, and has moved to Hungary with her equestrian husband Sam (Rupert Friend), an uprooting that manifests as quiet disconnects between them.

— Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of quiet

Adjective

By the end, the audience is left almost speechless — and still thinking about this singular, deeply original performance long after Lyons has left the stage.

— Rebecca Rosman, NPR, 31 Aug. 2026
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

Definition of speechless

Browse Nearby Words

mute

muted

muteness

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Muted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/muted. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of muted

adjective

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

matriculate

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Games & Quizzes