subdued
Soft and understated
Subdued describes something quieted, softened, or restrained from its natural intensity.
A subdued voice is hushed; subdued lighting is dim; subdued colors are muted.
A person who is subdued has been made less lively or assertive, often through defeat, disappointment, or exhaustion: He seemed subdued after the meeting.
The word implies something held back or tamped down rather than simply absent.
Overcome in contest
- overpoweredExcessively dominant or conquered
- vanquishedDefeated completely
- quelledForcibly ended unrest
- crushedCompressed into fragments
suppressed · overcome · subjugated · quashed · beaten · dominated · mastered · tamed
Reduced to silence
- mutedMade quieter or softer
- softYielding to touch
- whisperedSpoke without full voice
- muffledMade quieter, less distinct
dampened · toned-down · low-key · soft-spoken · faint · dimmed · silenced · stifled
One favoring bare essentials
- tastefulAesthetically appropriate and pleasing
- elegantGracefully refined, tasteful
- subtleNot immediately obvious
- refinedPurified or cultured
muted · discreet · unassuming · unpretentious · simple · restrained · conservative · unshowy
Lacking in sound
- peacefulFree from disturbance
- sereneUntroubled and composed
- tranquilCalm and untroubled
- placidCalm, undisturbed
still · composed · unruffled · sedate · settled · relaxed · soothed · pacified
Kept within limits
- curbedLimited or checked
- inhibitedHeld back by self-consciousness
- repressedHeld back from expression
- suppressedForcibly held down
moderated · regulated · contained · checked · bridled · constrained · restricted · tempered
defeated
Overcome in contest
- overpoweredExcessively dominant or conquered
- vanquishedDefeated completely
- quelledForcibly ended unrest
crushed · suppressed · overcome · subjugated · quashed · beaten · dominated · mastered · tamed · broken
hushed
Reduced to silence
muffled · dampened · toned-down · low-key · soft-spoken · faint · dimmed · silenced · stifled · understated
minimalist
One favoring bare essentials
- tastefulAesthetically appropriate and pleasing
- elegantGracefully refined, tasteful
- subtleNot immediately obvious
refined · muted · discreet · unassuming · unpretentious · simple · restrained · conservative · unshowy · modest
quiet
Lacking in sound
placid · still · composed · unruffled · sedate · settled · relaxed · soothed · pacified · gentled
controlled
Kept within limits
suppressed · moderated · regulated · contained · checked · bridled · constrained · restricted · tempered · measured
melancholy
Subdued, lasting sadness
dejected · solemn · grave · serious · sober · pensive · wistful · heavy-hearted · low-spirited · dispirited
subduedloud
High in volume
noisy · boisterous · thunderous · deafening · clamorous
- subdued colorsLow-saturation, quiet hues
- subdued glowGentle, restrained illumination