subdued
Quieter and less lively than usual.
subdued in a sentence
- Nia was subdued after losing her favourite necklace.
- The lights in the restaurant were soft and subdued.
Try an 11+ style question
Verbal reasoning papers often ask about a word like this.
Which word is closest in meaning to subdued?
- Aboisterous
- Blively
- Cexcited
- Dquiet
Show the answer
D: quiet. The other three mean the opposite of subdued.
Which word is most nearly opposite in meaning to subdued?
- Alively
- Bquiet
- Cmuted
- Ddowncast
Show the answer
A: lively. The other three mean nearly the same as subdued.
Words that mean something similar
quiet, muted, downcast
Words that mean the opposite
lively, excited, boisterous
More words about emotions & feelings
- sullen: Silent and bad-tempered, refusing to be cheerful.
- tantalise: To tease someone by showing them something they want but cannot have.
- temptation: A strong wish to do something, especially something you know you shouldn't.
- tender: Gentle, loving and soft.
- torment: To cause a person or animal great suffering or annoyance, often again and again.
- trepidation: A nervous, fearful feeling about something that is going to happen.
- triumph: A great victory or success.
- turmoil: A state of great confusion and upset.
More words to explore
Sitting the 11+ in Kent, Medway or Buckinghamshire?
Plain-English guides to each test, from the councils’ own pages: Kent Test · Medway Test · Bucks Secondary Transfer Test