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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

Heller made significant changes to Yoder’s novel, toning down some of its more outlandish twists while delving more deeply into the cracks in Mother’s marriage, a partnership that strains under the weight of unspoken resentment.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 4, 2024

Four of the sources said the toning down on China business-related risks in the domestic companies' offshore listing applications could trigger queries from the U.S. regulator, which has warned companies of insufficient China-risk disclosures.

From Reuters • Aug. 15, 2023

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

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