undertone
Quiet underlying quality
An undertone is a quiet, subdued voice: She spoke in an undertone so the children wouldn't hear.
More often, undertone refers to an underlying quality or feeling not explicitly expressed: an undertone of hostility, an undertone of sadness beneath the humor.
In color, an undertone is a subtle hue beneath the dominant shade: The white paint has a blue undertone.
Indirect suggestion
- insinuationIndirect, usually negative suggestion
- implicationIndirect suggestion or consequence
- innuendoOblique disparaging remark
- allusionIndirect reference to something
intimation · connotation · subtext · inference · indication · whisper · trace · inkling
Prevailing emotional condition
Slight degree present
- hueColor's specific character
- shadeDarkness from blocked light
- washClean using liquid
- castPerformers, throw, or splint
hint · touch · pigment · warmth · coolness · golden · neutral · warm
Soft, indistinct continuous sound
- low voiceDeep vocal register
- hushed toneVery quiet speaking manner
- whisperSpeech without full voice
- mutterSpeak low and indistinctly
mumble · soft-spoken · sotto voce · breath · hum · rumble · drone · background noise
Source of potential harm
- threatIndication of potential harm
- hostilityAntagonistic disposition toward others
- tensionStretched or strained state
- resentmentPersistent bitter displeasure
bitterness · anger · sadness · melancholy · anxiety · unease · disapproval · sarcasm
hint
Indirect suggestion
- insinuationIndirect, usually negative suggestion
- implicationIndirect suggestion or consequence
- innuendoOblique disparaging remark
allusion · intimation · connotation · subtext · inference · indication · whisper · trace · inkling · veiled meaning
mood
Prevailing emotional condition
character · note · tinge · shade · coloring · cast · air · aura · vibe · current
tinge
Slight degree present
cast · hint · touch · pigment · warmth · coolness · golden · neutral · warm · cool
murmur
Soft, indistinct continuous sound
- low voiceDeep vocal register
- hushed toneVery quiet speaking manner
- whisperSpeech without full voice
mutter · mumble · soft-spoken · sotto voce · breath · hum · rumble · drone · background noise
menace
Source of potential harm
- threatIndication of potential harm
- hostilityAntagonistic disposition toward others
- tensionStretched or strained state
resentment · bitterness · anger · sadness · melancholy · anxiety · unease · disapproval · sarcasm · irony
- beautymakeup, cosmetics, lipstick, mascara, eyeliner
- color termsblack, white, red, blue, green
- colorationpigment, pigmentation, hue, tint, saturation
- soft soundswhisper, murmur, hum, rustle, sigh
- visual qualitiescolor, hue, saturation, brightness, lightness
- vocalizationsspeak, speaking, talking, whisper, shout
undertoneovertone
Subsidiary meaning or harmonic
accent · emphasis · surface meaning · declaration · proclamation
undertoneovertone
Subsidiary meaning or harmonic
dominant color · highlight · accent · emphasis · foreground
- dark undertonesHidden threatening elements
- political undertonesImplicit governmental themes