variants
also low-keyed
as in subdued
not excessively showy
hoping to make a good impression, he deliberately chose a low-key tie with a subtle pattern
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples 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 low-key
That’s saying something, given Mackie’s career as an action hero and low-key heartthrob.
—
John Wenzel, The Denver Post, 14 Nov. 2024
Advertisement Politics In Kamala Harris’ L.A. neighborhood, low-key quiet and cautious optimism
Nov. 5, 2024
Others in the Democratic stronghold of the Bay Area, however, decided to throw caution to the wind and start partying early.
—Hannah Wiley, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2024
When the resort held its 10-year anniversary bash in November 2011, the event was a decidedly low-key celebration of employees and local regulars rather than Hollywood celebs.
—Patrick Brzeski, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Nov. 2024
And while this look is technically from last year, our collective patron saint is Sophie Turner, who paired a chocolate mohair sweater with white jeans and trendy boots for a deliciously low-key outfit that’s more than the sum of its parts.
—Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for low-key 
John Wenzel, The Denver Post, 14 Nov. 2024
Advertisement Politics In Kamala Harris’ L.A. neighborhood, low-key quiet and cautious optimism
Nov. 5, 2024
Others in the Democratic stronghold of the Bay Area, however, decided to throw caution to the wind and start partying early.
—Hannah Wiley, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2024
When the resort held its 10-year anniversary bash in November 2011, the event was a decidedly low-key celebration of employees and local regulars rather than Hollywood celebs.
—Patrick Brzeski, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Nov. 2024
And while this look is technically from last year, our collective patron saint is Sophie Turner, who paired a chocolate mohair sweater with white jeans and trendy boots for a deliciously low-key outfit that’s more than the sum of its parts.
—Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for low-key
Recent Examples of Synonyms for low-key
Adjective
-
Investors may also be responding to fears that inflation will resurface under Trump after months of price increases' settling in at a more subdued pace.Rob Wile, NBC News, 11 Nov. 2024
-
Meanwhile, the stylish and practical design remains equally dependable, especially when ordered with a subdued interior.Michael Teo Van Runkle, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024
Adjective
-
The Quiet Family is stylishly shot with an interesting soundtrack and understated performances.Bethy Squires, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2024
-
Tapping into the slow fashion movement, communication expert Paolo De Vivo launched his knitwear project back in 2018, building it into a go-to brand for luxurious and understated wardrobe builders.Martino Carrera, WWD, 21 Oct. 2024
Adjective
-
Madison plays Ani with her heart incrementally open and then slammed shut, her emotions playing out all over her face; Borisov is more laconic and more restrained.Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 15 Nov. 2024
-
In the first half of the City game, Palmer seemed more restrained in his starting position wide on the right, illustrated by the touch map below.Liam Twomey, The Athletic, 28 Aug. 2024
Adjective
-
Both of these come in fun colors like flamingo pink and sea green, as well as more muted tones like desert tan and espresso brown, so there’s an option for so many people on your list.Erin Johnson, People.com, 19 Nov. 2024
-
The available colorways—including a muted forest green, cream, and simple black—are understated yet stylish.Abigail Barronian, Outside Online, 11 Nov. 2024
Adjective
-
Kahane’s manner is, like his music, unpretentious, though shot through with dark humor and whimsy.Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 8 Oct. 2024
-
The gentle, unpretentious vibe and top-notch service plays well with locals, so be prepared to order in Italian.Carrie Dennis, Travel + Leisure, 7 Oct. 2024
Adjective
-
If peace has always been but a simple voluntary choice, the price of human imperfection has been paid in the coin of perpetual war.Henry A. Kissinger, Foreign Affairs, 18 Nov. 2024
-
Or that a different definition will make a theory simpler.Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 18 Nov. 2024
Adjective
-
Mikko Rantanen spoke bluntly about Nichushkin, saying the quiet part out loud.Troy Renck, The Denver Post, 15 Nov. 2024
-
Find a quiet spot away from city lights, lay back, and enjoy the cosmos while sharing stories with friends.Tribune Content Agency, The Mercury News, 14 Nov. 2024
Adjective
-
This election ran smoothly because of the legislation and proactive lawsuits from the conservative movement, argued Arizona state Rep. Alexander Kolodin, a Republican who was sanctioned by the State Bar of Arizona for his role in challenging the 2020 election.Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 12 Nov. 2024
-
The company maintains a conservative liquidity position with available-for-sale securities and credit availability with the Federal Home Loan Bank.Quartz Bot, Quartz, 12 Nov. 2024
Articles Related to low-key
Thesaurus Entries Near low-key
Cite this Entry
“Low-key.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/low-key. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share