Showing results for toning down. Search instead for toning+down.

toning down

VERB

moderate

Synonyms

STRONGEST

dampen dim mitigate modulate play down restrain soften temper

WEAK

chill out cloud darken deepen reduce shade sober soft-pedal subdue

Antonyms

STRONGEST

aggravate brighten irritate upset

WEAK

increase raise

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Still, a generation of young Chinese raised on expectations of ever-increasing prosperity is quietly protesting by toning down their career ambitions and tuning out government calls to sacrifice for the national good.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 19, 2026

On Saturday, after the report by The Times was published online, City Councilmember Monica Rodriguez issued a statement about the toning down of the after-action report.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 21, 2025

And no, Thomson did not have a talk with the two-time NL MVP about toning down his playing style.

From Washington Times • Jul. 24, 2023

That suggests their bodies were toning down the production of this protein in response to being immobilized.

From Science Magazine • Apr. 12, 2023

With some alternation of terms, some toning down, the passage could describe the building of a termite nest.

From "The Lives of a Cell" by Lewis Thomas