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

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

Has he evolved since or is he simply toning down his language?

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 25, 2024

A cease-fire was announced a day later, toning down fears of a third full-scale war over the region.

From Washington Times • Sep. 23, 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