soft-spoken
Not at all loud
Soft-spoken describes someone who speaks quietly and gently, often conveying calmness or reserve: a soft-spoken man who rarely raised his voice.
The term suggests temperament as much as volume—soft-spoken people tend toward understatement rather than assertiveness.
Reduced to silence
- lowNot elevated
- murmuredSpoke barely audibly
- whisperedSpoke without full voice
- mutedMade quieter or softer
faint · barely audible · sotto voce · silky · breathy · intimate · confidential · private
Lacking in sound
- subduedReduced in intensity
- understatedDeliberately minimized in expression
- restrainedHeld under control
- reticentDisinclined to speak freely
taciturn · unassertive · shy · timid · modest · demure · diffident · bashful
Moderate in intensity
- tenderSoft or sore
- soothingReducing distress or discomfort
- calmFree from agitation
- mellowSoft, ripe, relaxed
dulcet · warm · kind · compassionate · empathetic · serene · peaceful · harmonious
Showing respectful consideration
- tactfulSocially sensitive and careful
- graciousPleasantly kind and courteous
- respectfulShowing proper regard
- considerateMindful of others' needs
diplomatic · civil · decorous · deferential · well-mannered · genteel · refined · cultivated
hushed
Reduced to silence
muted · faint · barely audible · sotto voce · silky · breathy · intimate · confidential · private · subdued
quiet
Lacking in sound
- subduedReduced in intensity
- understatedDeliberately minimized in expression
- restrainedHeld under control
reticent · taciturn · unassertive · shy · timid · modest · demure · diffident · bashful · self-effacing
mild
Moderate in intensity
mellow · dulcet · warm · kind · compassionate · empathetic · serene · peaceful · harmonious · melodious
courteous
Showing respectful consideration
- tactfulSocially sensitive and careful
- graciousPleasantly kind and courteous
- respectfulShowing proper regard
considerate · diplomatic · civil · decorous · deferential · well-mannered · genteel · refined · cultivated · urbane
- vocal tonesbreathy, hushed, whispered, whispery, booming
- gentlegentle, mild, tender, meek, docile
- hyphenated wordsup-to-date, pitch-black, jaw-dropping, round-the-clock, air-conditioned
- speaking stylesarticulate, blunt, candid, conversational, casual
- speech qualitiesarticulate, clear, loud, quiet, slow
- gentle speechwhisper, murmur, quiet voice, dulcet tones, hush
soft-spokenoutspoken
Freely expressing opinions
brash · blunt · vociferous · strident · forthright
soft-spokenbombastic
Excessively inflated language
blustering · brassy · vociferous · clamorous · raucous