subdued
/səbˈdjuːd
/adjective
1(Of a person or their manner) quiet and rather reflective or depressed: I felt strangely subdued as I drove home...
- We exchanged letters regularly but the man who emerged from jail was a quieter, more subdued individual.
- Reflecting on those happy, hell-raising times, a subdued Bennett attributes his current physical condition to earlier self damage.
- Most of Government functions, in which Ministers participate, are organised in a subdued manner.
Synonyms
sombre, low-spirited, downcast, sad, dejected, depressed, low, gloomy, despondent, dispirited, disheartened, forlorn, woebegone;
restrained, repressed, inactive, spiritless, lifeless, dull, unresponsive, withdrawn, pensive, thoughtful, preoccupied, quiet
informal down in the mouth, down in the dumps, out of sorts, in the doldrums, with a long face
British informal brassed off, cheesed off, browned off
North American informal teed off, ticked off
hushed, muted, quiet, low, soft, gentle, whispered, murmured, faint, muffled, indistinct, inaudible;
noiseless, soundless, silent, still, calm
2(Of colour or lighting) soft and restrained: a subdued glow came through the curtains...
- But art deco coloured glass means subdued lighting, hence the problems with reading the menu.
- The lighting is usually subdued, making colours appear surreal.
- The colour palette includes subdued beiges, burgundies and charcoal blues on high-back chairs and sectional wall panels.
Synonyms
dim, muted, toned down, softened, soft, lowered, shaded, low-key, subtle, unobtrusive, understated;
sombre, dreary, dark